Mum wins classic Bordeaux vintage in school tombola for 50p

A woman who won a bottle of 1982 Château Clos d’Estournel for the price of a 50p tombola ticket has sold the vintage for £185 at auction.

When Kerry Carty won a bottle of red wine at her six-year-old daughter’s school fair in Stockport, she planned on giving it away as a gift.

But a quick search online revealed that the bottle of 1982 Château Clos d’Estournel was a classic Bordeaux vintage and worth rather more than the price of a tombola ticket.

“I’m assuming the wine was donated by someone like me who doesn’t have a clue about wine, and had probably been gifted it themselves,” Carty said. “They must have given it away without a second thought!”

Carty listed the bottle on auction site Bid for Wine, where it sold for £185 after 16 bids.

Classified as a 2ème Cru Classé, Château Clos d’Estournal is one of the leading estates in St-Estéphe. Renown for its unique Asian-inspired architecture – British Army Officers stationed in India enjoyed drinking the Château’s wines in the 1800s, the property is separated from near neighbour Château Lafite by a stream.

The estate’s Grand Vin, named after the Château itself, is typically a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 1982 is considered one of the best vintages for this wine, which is thought to age well for 10-20 years in bottle.

Château Clos d’Estournal recommends opening vintages between 1982 and 2000 “without decantation, about two hours before serving, so their aromas may be released gently to avoid abrupt aeration”.

Lay & Wheeler has its latest 2021 vintage priced at £143.

Carty added: “From now on, I’m going to check any wine I come across.”