I've been drinking a lot of Bordeaux lately. I opened a 1998 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste for dinner last night and I'm telling you right now it was one of the best things I have put in my glass in recent memory. An experience like that tends to guide my hand toward the Bordeaux section when I visit my cellar for the nightly bottle.

You probably know by now that the 2000 and 2005 vintages are the most outstanding vintages ever to come out of Bordeaux, but you'd have to be a little crazy to be uncorking most of those classified 2005s right now; they need their beauty rest, so this is a chance to uncork some gorgeous 2000s at some pretty attractive, pre-euro-explosion prices.

I can't say it often enough. There is really nothing that can rival a ten-year-old Bordeaux. You taste those blackberries and that touch of caramel candy and, impossibly, a hint of mint and well, and you're hooked. So, it is really important that everyone who loves wine have at least a few cases of the 2000s in their possession. There will be quality time spent between your glass and you. I guarantee it.

Here are some 2000s from my cellar. It's important for you to know that they have been in temperature-control (55 degrees) since they arrived from the Chateaux in France. They have been patiently waiting in their wooden boxes for you to make a move.

Chateau Malartic Lagraviere - Pessac Leognan (Graves) - Rated 90 RP
$60/bottle, $345/6 bottles, 9 bottles left
"A model of elegance, symmetry, and balanced power, the dense ruby/purple-colored 2000 displays sweet aromas of plums, currants, tobacco, and smoke. The wine possesses abundant power, concentration, extract, glycerin, and length. This elegant, expansive, juicy, layered, medium-bodied effort should prove reasonably long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020."Robert Parker

Chateau Monbousquet- St Emilion - Rated 93-96 RP
$99/bottle, $585/6 bottles, $1140 per 12-bottle case ($95)2 cases available
"Perse feels the 2000 Monbousquet is his finest to date. There is no question it is loaded. Perse's secret is low yields (under 30 hectoliters per hectare), the oxygenation of the wine's lees, aging on the lees, little racking, and no fining or filtering. Less exotic but more powerful, concentrated, and classic than previous vintages, the 2000 (7,500 cases) is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It boasts an opaque purple color reminiscent of dry vintage port. The toasty new oak, so much a controversial component of previous vintages, is better integrated in 2000. The wine is sweet (abundant cherry, black currant, and blackberry notes) and full-bodied, with remarkable delineation, enormous concentration, and virtually perfect balance, symmetry, and purity. This spectacular wine clearly transcends its terroir. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020.. " Robert Parker 12 bottles left

Chateau L'Hermitage St Emilion - Rated 90-92 RP
$75/bottle, $435/6 bottles, $838 per 12-bottle case ($$69)
"Made from a vineyard situated near Angelus and Beau-Sejour-Becot, this 600-case blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc is fashioned from low yields and is put through a pre-fermentation cold maceration. The rich, pure, concentrated, opaque purple-colored 2000 displays all the hallmarks of this great vintage - power, intensity, depth, ripeness, and moderately high tannin. Dense and impressive, it will be drinkable between 2004-2015."Robert Parker

Chateau Gazin - Pomerol - Rated 90 RP
$89/bottle, $525/6 bottles, $1029 per 12-bottle case ($86) 18 bottles
"There is something in the aromatics and flavors of Gazin's 2000 that seems similar to Petrus (the vineyards are adjacent). Hints of caramel intermixed with black cherry, mineral, and licorice notes compete in this full-bodied, attractive, ripe but firmly structured wine. There is plenty of depth, weight, and richness, but again, several years of cellaring are essential. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018." So there you have it, the perfect Bordeaux sampler from the perfect vintage. Cynthia Hurley