One of the most spectacular wine cellars in Bermuda has just changed hands.

The owner of the amazing collection of 748 bottles reluctantly decided to sell up because he is probably leaving the Island.

The collection was valued at between $88,000 and $104,000, and the owner, whose identity has not been disclosed, was seeking offers in excess of $79,000.

The wines were due to be auctioned off, but this was halted when the owner agreed to sell to someone he knew.

Robin Blackburne, who is considered one of the world's leading experts on Bordeaux wine and who appraised the collection, described it as the most interesting cellar he had been consulted on because it was so varied.

Among the star bottles were the “legendary” Chateau Haut Brion 1989, more than a dozen bottles of the Pichon Longueville Lalande 1982, and “other exquisite red Bordeaux from such great vintages as 1975, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1999 and, in case you missed the opportunity, some five dozen bottles in their original wooden cases of the fabled 2000 vintage,” said Mr. Blackburne in an e-mail to potential buyers on the Island.

The Californian reds included Heitz, Opus One, Stag's Leap, and Silver Oak, the Australian selection included mature bottles of Grange Hermitage, and there was a selection of Italian, Chilean, and South African bottles. The collection also included vintage port, ten magnums and one double magnum.

Mr. Blackburne told The Royal Gazette this week: the most interesting cellar I have been asked to consult on.

“The breadth and quality is the most interesting. It was a fascinating cellar which I would have loved to have had but I don't have the room.”

Mr. Blackburne said he had never been asked to appraise a great wine cellar for sale in Bermuda unless the owner was leaving the Island or sometimes because of divorce.

He said he did not know the identity of the buyer because the seller did not need to disclose it.

About six connoisseurs contacted by e-mail expressed an interest in buying the cellar, which was being sold as a whole.

Mr. Blackburne, a Master of Wine who owns Wine Consultants, but who now spends his time on Internet ventures, said there was no such thing as a typical fine wine collector.

“There is no rhyme or reason to it. Some collectors are not wealthy but are just impassioned,” he said.

“Others have a great deal of money, and others think it would be a great idea to have a cellar because some of their friends have a nice cellar.

“Some of the major offshore chairmen and chief executives have nice cellars, and other apparently ordinary people who you would not expect to have rather magnificent cellars.”