Blatch to focus on Bordeaux's 'private cellars' in new Christie's role

Speaking to Decanter.com, Blatch said: ''There's a fair amount of private cellars that need visiting.'

Blatch, who has not missed an en primeur campaign since 1970, is tasked with uncovering 'hidden crus' for Christie's and will be based in Bordeaux.

'This came at a time when I had finally pulled myself away from my own business, so, I was officially retired. But, this is right up my street,' he said.

Last year, Blatch retired from Vintex, the négociants he founded in 1982.

He said Christie's has no problem with him continuing to work with Bordeaux Gold, a company that he helped to set up and which specialises in the promotion of Sauternes and Barsac, including blogs, vintage information and online sales. 'Everyone is absolutely clear about their roles,' he said.

A well-known figure in the trade, Blatch is also writing the Bordeaux sequel to Berry Bros & Rudd's 'Inside Burgundy' by Jasper Morris MW. Berry Bros intends to publish the Bordeaux version in 2015.