The customers ordered a bottle of the 2001 Chateau Pichon Longueville Contesse de Lalande, which costs £260.

Hawksmoor founder Will Beckett said a manager from another branch had been helping out and offered to find the wine for a waitress, but picked up the wrong bottle.

The restaurant has subsequently posted a picture on Twitter of the two offending bottles side by side, with the caption “they look pretty similar OK”.

The diners, who were eating at the bar, were lucky enough to be served “something spectacular” and ordered a second bottle so clearly enjoyed it, according to Mr Beckett.

“At that kind of level you’re into a rarity, a flavour profile you won’t find anywhere else,” he said.

They did not realise they had quaffed a £4,500 bottle, while the second bottle they asked for was unavailable.

‘Mythical’

Mr Beckett said the staff member involved was “brilliant, and we know she is brilliant” so there was no point criticising her for a one-off mistake.

“I am going to tease her for this when she stops being so mortified,” he added.

According to the Cult Wines online tasting guide, only 500 cases of the 2001 Chateau le Pin Pomerol were made.

It describes the vintage as a “tremendous effort”, adding: “Its deep ruby/plum/purple colour is accompanied by an extraordinary perfume of creme de cassis, cherry liqueur, plums, liquorice, caramel, and sweet toast.”

Reviews on the vivino.com website say the wine is “legendary” and “mythical”.

Source: BBC