For those who feel ready to cellar better wines that should improve with age, the 1998 Bordeaux vintage provides some good opportunities.

There are also considerable quantities of earlier Bordeaux vintages still for sale, going back at least to 1979.

First and second growths from Bordeaux vintages, between 1978 and 1982, are also featured on the list.

Until then, 1961 had been held up as the Bordeaux vintage of the century.

"Auction prices have been going up and they probably will continue to do so for recent Bordeaux vintages," he said.

He says that the two are similar in quality and that 1989 was the last Bordeaux vintage that still represents a good buy.

There are still plenty of other Bordeaux vintages around.

What's more, prices for the 2000 Bordeaux vintage are higher than ever.

To people who care about such things, 1961 has long been considered one of, if not the, finest Bordeaux vintage of the 20th century.

Mr. Parker might have remained a lawyer with a hobby had he not taken such an early and forceful stand on the 1982 Bordeaux vintage.