Yesterday we learned that Cartier's is offering for sale the largest top-end jewelry collection in its history, $250 million worth of gold and glitter. Today comes news that experts expect a bottle of Bordeaux wine to bring the highest price every recorded at auction for a single bottle.

The imperial bottle (equivalent to eight customary bottles) of legendary French Grand Cru First Growth Château Pétrus, 1961 vintage, is expected to bring in the neighborhood of $150,000.

If a healthy sip of wine is approximately 1 oz, and a bottle of wine contains 750 ml or 25.4 oz, then this bottle contains slightly more than 200 sips of wine. At $750 a sip, I'd be scared to death to even hold the glass.

You may recall that a Château Pétrus bordeaux was Hannibal Lecter's selection to accompany sauteed flautist brains in one of Thomas Harris' series of novels featuring the psychopath. I'm sure it would enhance more mainstream menus, as well.

Apparently, belt-tightening has not percolated up from the middle class yet. If you want in on the auction action, you're in luck; internet bids will be accepted. To make arrangements and order the catalog, send your request to info@eriwine or call 847-295.8696.