A MAGNUM of Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947, one of the finest and rarest wines in the world, will be offered at Brightwells' forthcoming auction of Wine, Port, Champagne and Whisky on Wednesday, February 20.

The sale will take place at their Leominster Saleroom, commencing at 11am.

The bottle was given to the vendor as a christening present in the early 1950s and has lain undisturbed in the family home ever since.

Brightwells' head of wine sales Paddy Shave is delighted to be offering such an iconic wine. "We sold a 75cl bottle of Cheval Blanc 1947 several years ago for £3,300 so I would expect this magnum to achieve in excess of £6,000".

The sale catalogue features over 600 lots; a large selection of Red Bordeaux includes 12 bottles of Chateau Margaux 2000 (£5,500 - £7,000) and a single pristine bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1918 (£1,500 - £2,000).

A superb vintage port and champagne section includes 12 bottles of Pol Roger 1964 (2,000 - £2,600) and a large collection of Fonseca Ports from 1934, 1948 and 1955.

Clients attending the pre-sale tasting are in for a treat as a bottle of Fonseca 1934, worth over £600, will be available to sample.

An excellent whisky and cognac section forms the latter part of the sale. Highlights include a bottle of Macallan 18 year old 1983 (£1,000 - £1,400) and two bottles of Dinard 1840 cognac (£600 - £1,000 each).

The sale will be on view on February 18 and 19 and on the morning of the sale.

There will be a tasting of selected wines, ports and cognacs from 3pm - 7pm on Tuesday 19th and on the morning of the 20th.

To order a catalogue, or for information on buying and selling wines and spirits at auction please contact Paddy Shave on 01568 611122 or paddy.shave@brightwells.com