A top wine critic has urged any collectors holding Bordeaux 2003 in their cellars to drink them sooner rather than later.

Jancis Robinson claims that the 2003 Bordeaux harvest did not go through the normal ripening process, leaving grapes with high tannin levels to start shrivelling on the vine.

This means the fruit flavours in the wine are likely to be weaker as a result.

"My advice for the great majority of Bordeaux 2003 is to drink them before the fruit recedes altogether," she suggests.

For those looking for a fine Bordeaux 2003 to drink immediately, Ms Robinson recommends Chateau Latour, which is still "oozing length, depth and glamour".

After the spectacular success of Bordeaux 2009, some wine makers are predicting that the 2010 vintage could be just as good.

Frederic Bonnaffous, head winemaker in Medoc and St Emilion at Vins & Vignobles Dourthe, told the Drinks Business that the quality of the current grape harvest is "unquestionable".