Best Zachys wines: top online and instore buys
Great wine deals from this family-owned business, offering online and instore retail sales as well as traditional and online auctions plus a range of wine storage facilities.
Zachys launched as a liquor merchant in 1944, with a storefront in Westchester County, New York. Don Zachariah bought the company from his father Zachy in 1961 and it remains a family-owned business.
Zachys still has its headquarters at that premises on East Parkway in Scarsdale. But along with physical stores it operates a vast online retail business, a wine auction house and international wine storage facilities.
Don’s son Jeff Zachariah is Zachys’ president, running the auction side of the company. His son-in-law Andrew McMurray is vice-president, heading up retail.
As a retailer, Zachys prides itself on offering its US customers hand-picked wines from around the globe. The selection of blue-chip and under-the-radar wines from Bordeaux, Champagne, Piedmont and Tuscany is especially robust.
Wine consultants and expert staff in store and online help shoppers find intriguing everyday wines through to investment-worthy bottles.
Auction sales booming
But it is the auction arm of the business that is really making waves. ‘Zachys represents 20% of the wine auction industry,’ explains Robert Allen, Zachys’ managing director of retail. ‘In 2020 alone we outperformed our competitors, with more than $150 million in sales.’
Zachys showcases wine auctions on two platforms: the traditional live events held in New York, Hong Kong and London, as well as more informal online auctions.
Dubbed zCollections, these online sales start with bottles under $50, yet may include some of the world’s most sought-after wines in smaller lot sizes in lieu of full cases.
With auction specialists based in New York, California, France, London, Japan, China and Hong Kong, there are plenty of opportunities for clients to grow or sell their wine collections.
And their collections can be kept at Zachys’ climate-controlled wine storage facilities – a burgeoning third arm of the family business. Currently Zachys stores more than 40,000 cases of wine for clients across its warehouses in New York, Washington DC, Hong Kong Paris and London.
Zachys offers commercial storage for importers and distributors, private-client storage services for collectors who want their bottles inventoried and shipped, plus temperature-controlled storage lockers for an $899 annual rental fee.
Through the business’ three arms of retail, auctions and wine storage ‘we really try to help folks navigate their “wine life”,’ says Allen.
Decanter’s pick of the best Zachys wines to try
The wines below are a current selection of the Zachys portfolio. The most recently tasted are at the top of the list.
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André Clouet, Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne, France
92
Incredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish.
André Clouet
Morgen Long, Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2018
93
Fruit is sourced from six dry-farmed vineyards for this concentrated but elegant Chardonnay, given tang from wild yeast fermentation. Meyer lemon mingles with ripe pear and peach on the lively palate, where vibrant acidity brings clarity and finesse while subtle spice echoes against a bright, mineral finish.
2018
Morgen LongWillamette Valley
Mullineux, Old Vines White, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
93
Built primarily on Swartland’s hallmark old-vine Chenin Blanc, fruit for this elegant white blend is strategically sourced from a variety of terroirs, including shale, schist and granite. Enticing citrus and stone fruit grace the palate, which boasts a rich, round texture and remarkable concentration.
2019
Mullineux
Dönnhoff, Riesling Trocken, Nahe, Germany, 2019
91
From the steep slopes of the middle Nahe, this bright expression of dry Riesling comes from 15- to 30-year-old vines grown on slate soils. It's an elegant wine from start to finish, with expressive and forward aromas of citrus and nectarine, lovely minerality and lively acidity.
2019
Dönnhoff
Patrick Piuze, Terroir de Chablis, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2019
91
<p>Fruit for this engaging Chablis is sourced from the north-facing slopes of the Vaillons and Montmains premiers crus, among others. 2019 was a relatively warm, dry vintage which delivers a richness to the palate with dense fruit and fresh herb characters, a round texture and lingering elegance.</p>
2019
Patrick PiuzeChablis
Domaine les Pallières, Les Racines, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2017
94
Racines is made mainly from the oldest Grenache vines (averaging 60 years) from one of the southern Rhone’s oldest estates. The full-bodied, richly textured palate is packed with concentrated blackcurrant, raspberry and olive tapenade flavours, backed by savoury spice and plush tannins. Fresh and focused.
2017
Domaine les PallièresGigondas
Dominio de Pingus, Psi, Ribera del Duero, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2018
93
Using organic and biodynamic viticultural practices, Psi offers a gutsy, expressive and value-driven voice to the Ribera del Duero region. This firm, focused, full-bodied red opens with solid depth of ripe black cherry fruit and enticing floral notes, supple tannins and a savoury finish.
2018
Dominio de PingusRibera del Duero
Fattoria Le Pupille, Poggio Valente, Tuscany, Italy, 2017
93
Bold and expressive, this 100% Sangiovese delivers attractively dense aromas and flavours of black cherry, plum, mocha and savoury herbs, plus bold liquorice and tobacco nuances. Finesse and power dance well together on the full-bodied palate amid juicy tannins and balancing acidity.
2017
Fattoria Le Pupille
R Lopez de Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Bosconia Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2008
93
From an acclaimed family-run bodega, this medium-bodied Rioja from a cooler vintage carries considerable secondary and tertiary aromas and flavours 13 years into its evolution. Complex and well-structured, tobacco, earth and leather notes emerge on the palate, supported by beautifully integrated fine tannins.
2008
R Lopez de Heredia
Finca La Igriega, Malbec, Uco Valley, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
92
A single-vineyard wine from the loamy soils of Paraje Altamira, where ripe fruit gives rise to vivid aromas and a generous black fruit palate. The tannins are well-woven and spotlight a smoky, gamey character with herbal undertones. Intensity and power are tamed by finesse and acidity.
2018
Finca La IgriegaUco Valley
Poderi Luigi Einaudi, Ludo, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2016
The quality-to-price ratio on this entry-level, young-vine Barolo is tough to beat. Approachable and balanced, supple and savoury, it sports black cherry, pomegranate and wild...
2016
Poderi Luigi EinaudiBarolo
