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 at affordable prices. 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.

Bordeaux is collectible because the best chateaus have noteworthy track records. You can count on certain wines to perform well, because they always have.

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.

Here are a few more that we recommend:

Chateau Phelan-Segur 2003. 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. 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. Violet aromas, eucalyptus, ripe plum flavors and a bit of mineral. Good value.

Chateau Beau Site 2003. Good cassis character, good body and easy tannins.

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