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.