Big Top Closeout Bins are Back?

Back between 2005 to 2012 the closeout bins at Big Top/Sid’s Discount Liquors offered the best bargains in the history of the Twin Cities Wine Market.

Look at some of these deals! Wow!

2005 L’Aventure Optimus (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)91 points ($20)
2001 Blue Rock Syrah (USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley) 93 points ($10)
A Minneapolis Wine Club Favorite!
2000 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Syrah Ascent (USA, California, Sierra Foothills) 92 points ($24)
2004 Andrea Oberto Barolo Vigneto Albarella (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo) 94 points ($14)
I bought this a month earlier for $65.
2005 Flying Goat Cellars Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley) 90 points ($9)
1998 Massolino Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo) 92 points ($20)
2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate (USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley) $5 Wow!
2003 Guy Bernard Côte-Rôtie (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie) 91 points ($20)
2002 Joan D’Anguera Montsant El Bugader (Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant)90 points ($8)
2004 Rotllan Torra Priorat Tirant (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat)92 points
2001 Clos Mogador Priorat Manyetes (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat)93 points
2003 Wolf Blass Shiraz Platinum Label (Australia, South Australia, Barossa) 92 points ($20)

The Greatest Deal of All Time
2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer) $7.00!!!!!!!!
They had an assortment of Prum wines for sale. I don’t know of how many cases but those in the know hit the jackpot back in 2011.

Within the last year some really good deals have popped up such as:
2010 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus (USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley)$20 (Paid $44 at another shop)
2009 & 2011 Canti Barolo (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo) $9
2014 Groth Chardonnay Hillview (USA, California, Napa Valley) $15
2014 The Hess Collection Chardonnay (USA, California, Napa Valley) $8
2012 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja) $9
2016 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Blanc (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Adelaida District) $6 (sells for $25 plus)

The Top Deal of 2018
This is likely 3 Day Wine Review Top Wine of 2018. COST JUST $10.99 (PAID DOUBLE THAT ON WTSO)
2010 Ardal Tradicion Ribera del Duero Reserva Selección Especial – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (11/28/2018)
Day 1: Drinking well on a pop and pour. Between the classic and more modern style. Nice fruits featuring sour cherry and blueberries. Vanilla, saddle wood and leather. Nice floral component on this medium plus finish. This is a real solid wine and one of the better QPR wines of the year. 92 points
Day 2: Very good featuring cherries, blueberries and raspberries. Again picking up the saddle wood, leather but less vanilla/oak. Wine is complex and very flavorful. I like this wine a lot and am glad 12 more are coming. Great QPR wine. 92 points (92 points)

2010 Ardal Tradicion Ribera del Duero Reserva Selección Especial – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (7/13/2018)
Day 1: This is one of the better WTSO wines I have had in years. The 2nd bottle corked but this one is rocking! Rustic wine with leather, sour cherries, earth, bramble, dried herbs and an array of darker fruits. On the finish picks up a nice chocolate element. This is a classic effort and the traditionalist would approve. If this ever pops up again buy!!! 94 points
Day 2: Very similar to day 1 and this tells me a decade of drinking. Very concentrated finish and just enjoyable to drink. 94 points
Day 3: This wine is holding strong on day 3 and adds a nice coffee bean element. Great fruit and complexity. Medium to long finish. Balanced with a capital B. 94 points
Recommendation: Buy this!!! This wine will drink well for over a decade. (94 points)

This wine is bottled and produced by Bodegas Balbas.

Interesting Blog Post on this wine at double what I paid.

Continue to check back in on my blog as I am the only pro wine drinker blogger in the state. All other wine educators have friends in the industry and promote the shops that often have the highest prices in the Twin Cities. I am the only one promoting Big Top/Sid’s which as you can see above have the best deals in the history of this state.

Get on their Tuesday Dash/William’s Wednesday deals.  Many solid offerings especially on beer.