Zachys has a rep for high prices, but when they have sales, there can be some pretty good prices. This week I picked up $5 Barberas, $15 GC Chablis, $15 '05 Volnay, $20 06 Barbaresco, etc. 2 got opened last night.
I made a pepper/garlic/tomato sauce for some 3 cheese ravioli, and opened the 1998 Casisano Colombaio Brunello di Montalcino, a $20 purchase. Very dark color that makes one wonder, but not so big on palate. No more than medium acidity, light to medium tannins, black cherry fruit with some saddle leather and violets. There's maybe a hint of vanilla, but overall this comes across as fairly traditional, except I'd have expected a bit more acid. Mature, but not tired. Not bad, and I actually wish I had gotten a couple more to try over next few years. A friend with a '98 child got 6, I'd suggest finishing by HS graduation. B
Some of the deals were case buys, and I split with friends. One came by for his allotment, so I offered a glass of the 2007 Domaine and Selection "Les Blanchots" Chablis Grand Cru. D&S is a negociant that seems to only exist as a private label for Zachys, sometimes winemaker listed, sometimes not- in this case she is, Clotilde Davenne. At $15 my expectations are rather low, but in this case surpassed. Big pretty Chablis, floral nose with chalky edge, sweet apple and citrus fruit, nice length. This is not going to be mistaken for Raveneau and at $80 I'd have balked, but this is my Burgundy deal of the year so far. B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.