Yorkshire police are warning restaurants and hotels to be extra vigilant after a group of specialised wine thieves stole £60,000 worth of vintage wines from a private house.
The gang broke into a home in a rural residential area near Northallerton and stole cases of Chateau Latour, Yquem, Palmer, Talbot and other high end Bordeaux wines worth up to £3500 a case
Amongst the extensive haul were also top South African wines, valued at over £1500 a case, and a case of Ornellaia 1997.
Police confirmed that the thieves must have had detailed wine knowledge as well information about the house into which they broke, as the cellar was not visible from the street.
The incident happened between 6pm on Saturday 31 May, and 11am the following day.
Officers believe it is likely that the wine will be sold through specialist markets and are appealing to wine merchants, and exclusive hotels and restaurants to be on their guard.
If they are offered any of these wines for sale they should contact police immediately.
Anyone with any information should call DC Jason Roper at Northallerton CID on 0845 60 60 247.
List of wines stolen:
Chateau D’Yquem 1997
Chateau Gloria 2000, 2001, 2004
Chateau Beychevelle 2000, 2001,2004
Chateau Lynch Bages 2001, 2004
Chateau Talbot 2001
Chateau Palmer 1995, 2000
Chateau Latour 1995
Chateau Latour – magnum 1997
Chateau Gloria – double magnum 1996
Thelema Reserve Merlot, 2003
Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2004
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2004
Rustenberg Five Soldiers
Ornellaia 1997
Written by Erica Loi