The future of the Château Latour vineyard was in question after it emerged that the investment bank Lazard is discreetly offering the label for sale to French competitors.

Owned by the president of the luxury-goods group PPR, François Pinault, Château Latour is regarded as one of the finest wines from the Medoc region.

The Château Latour estate consists of 78 hectares of Bordeaux vineyards but only grapes from the 47 hectares that surround the chateau at the heart of the estate are used to make the Grand Vin de Château Latour.

Pinault, whose stable of businesses includes Christie’s auction house and the fashion brands Gucci and Puma, acquired the winery in 1993 for £86m when it became part of his holding company Artemis.

Artemis declined to comment but sources close to the company said it had no intention of selling Château Latour.

Sources in the wine industry, however, said the vineyard is on the market for €150m-€200m.

According to Timesonline, The vineyard is understood to be coveted by Bernard Magrez, the man behind the Pape Clement label.