Had some errands Saturday that put me near Zachys, stopped in and tasted a few things while there. Usual disclaimers re store tastings apply, though all of the pourers were giving decent pours::
2004 Domaine des Vercheres Macon-Villages Crisp apple fruit, light chalky notes, pleasant simple white. Decent value at $9. B/B-2002 Bouchard "Beaune du Chateau" Blanc Nice medium-bodied Burg, rich Chardonnay fruit with lots of minerally notes, best buy of the day at $25. B+/A-
2002 Raphet Gevrey Chambertin Not a familiar producer to me, and this one doesn't particularly want to change that. Warm dark fruit, but a bit rough around the edges. B-2003 Alex Gambal Volnay-Santenots This is much better than I expect, with rather deep black cherry fruit and long finish. Some oaky notes, but not enough it shouldn't integrate. B+
2003 Giroud Vosne Romanee Some spicy notes over very round red fruit. Sweet and forward, not bad for early drinking methinks. B2003 Chevillon Nuits St Georges Slightly strange with citrus peel and strawberries on the nose, round red fruit on palate. Not especially Chevillon nor NSG to my palate. B/B-
2003 Chevillon "Les Pruliers" Nuits St Georges The black fruit here seems more NSG than the village Chevillon, but I can't say I regret not buying my favorite Nuits producer in 2003. Nice black fruit, some earth, but tannins seem too prominent. B2003 Raphet Clos de Vougeot Sweet -nay, overripe- red fruit, hard tannins, low-acidity. No doubt what vintage this one comes from.C+/B-
2003 Perrot-Minot Mazoyeres Chambertin VV John calls this the "Pamela Anderson" of the tasting. I can see why. Lush dark fruit, big but ripe tannins, very prominent sweet toasted oak notes. This isn't my style of Burgundy, but this would be a knockout for a lot of people. For me, B. But much better than that if this is your style.2002 Girardin Chambertin Clos de Beze Good fruit, lots of body, meaty earthy nose, long finish. A little heavy with the oak, but very good in a modern style. B+/A-
1999 Grivot Clos de Vougeot Medium body, sweet dark fruit, earth, and mineral notes. B+2005 Modoree Tavel Rose Pleasant if unexciting rose. B-
2003 Perrin "Cuvee Prestige Vieilles Vignes" Cotes du Rhone Too ripe for me, jammy and short. C+/B-2003 St. Cosme Gigondas Unlike the Valbelle, there's no apparent oak here. Mineral and woodsmoke over a body of dark berry fruit. Ripe but structured, needs time but nice. My only hestitation is the $30 pricetag, I remember not long ago buying very fine Gigondas for $10-15. B+
2003 Fombrauge Modern but with some structure, crushed ripe blackberries and vanilla. A bit too sweet/ripe, but attractive as a drink-alone young. B2003 De Fieuzal Rouge Lots of fruit, but a little short on the finish. B-
2003 Langoa Barton Ripe but not over the top, sweet dark fruit with slightly rough tannins. Long finish. Needs time,but better than I expected. B+/BSkipped a couple of CdPs
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.