If there is one thing we have learned about wine it is that the only thing separating an amateur from a wine collector is his pocketbook.

Everyone would love a wine cellar - but can everyone afford one?

You would be surprised how easy it is to start a collection, and at affordable prices. The new year gives us time to think about it. There is a lot of available Bordeaux from the 2001 and 2003 vintages that are worth considering.

We thought a wine collection was outside our means in the mid 1980s when a bottle of 1982 Gruaud Larose set us back $13 a bottle. Our spouses cringed when we confessed to buying a few cases on a bet that they would later thank us. Today, that bottle is worth about $250 and it's still drinking nicely - and we're still waiting for the thanks.

The fabled 1982 vintage got us started on collecting Bordeaux and still today it is represented in our cellars more than any other wine.

Bordeaux is collectible because the best chateaus have noteworthy track records. You can count on certain wines to perform well because they always have. Of course, vintages have a lot to do with their success and 1982, for example, was one of the best of the century.

Unfortunately, we haven't had the benefit of a strong dollar like we did in 1982. Prices for recent vintages have kept a lot of people like us out of the market for future releases from the 2004 and 2005 vintages. However, there are some worthy purchases that consumers should consider if wine collecting is a new year's resolution.

We have found some excellent wines from the 2001 vintage still on the shelf, but today we'd like to suggest some Bordeaux from the 2003 vintage. With the pricey 2004s and 2005s coming around the bend, these wines should experience some good discounts.

You may remember 2003 in France for more than the wines. It was a summer when extraordinarily high temperatures killed thousands of people. Grapes, though, had a better time adjusting to heat and drought.

In fact, grapes shut down in temperature extremes. But what saved the 2003 vintage was a couple of days of rain in early September and moderating temperatures just before harvest. Even so, the weather challenges led to some unevenness in the quality of the wines.

There are many 2003s that would make for a great Christmas present. These wines are showing well now and can last another 5-7 years in a cellar.

Here are a few that we recommend:

Chateau Phelan-Segur 2003 ($45). This St. Estephe wine has rich, forward plum fruit with hint of licorice and coffee. It is one of our favorites and is showing well now.

Chateau Gruaud Larose 2003 ($63). We have collected several vintages of this St. Julien wine and it never disappoints. We found ripe plum flavors, a touch of herbs and good balance. It will last another decade in the cellar.

Chateau Ormes de Pez 2003 ($39). Violet aromas, eucalyptus, ripe plum flavors and a bit of mineral. Good value.

Chateau Beau Site 2003 ($34). Good cassis character, good body and easy tannins.

Chateau Monbrison 2003 ($39). A simple wine with plum and spice notes and soft mouthfeel. Drinking well now.

Wine of the week

Georges DuBoeuf Nouveau Beaujolais 2006 ($10). Sometimes Beaujolais nouveau can taste raw and overly acidic. This one is not. Lovely wild cherry nose. Medium bodied in the mouth, smooth and refined with nice cherry flavors. Absolutely refreshing, and would be great meal addition.