We are excited to introduce our first Top 12 of 2010! Check out these beauties at tastings this weekend and the next.

Winter 2010 Top 12: Part 1 (1-6)
January 29 & 30
11 am - 7 pm

Winter 2010 Top 12: Part 2 (7-12)
February 5 & 6
11 am - 7 pm

1. Domaine Du Bois St. Jean Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Cotes-du-Rhone, France
$12.99 750ml $124.69 case

Our top selling red wine over $10 from 2009 is back! We wanted to give all those new Midway fans a shot to taste one of the most unique wines from the best vintage from this special corner of the world. 2007 blessed the southern Rhone with weather that has produced rich, complex, and awesome wines. Try one of our favorites!

2. Domaine de Villargeau Coteaux du Giennois 2008
Loire Valley, France
$12.99 750ml $124.70 case

The Coteaux du Giennois is located just a few miles north of Sancerre in the Loire Valley. The wine is made of 100% Sauvignon Blanc and has many similarities to a fine Sancerre, except for the price! In fact, it is often referred to as a “baby Sancerre.” The citrus, mineral nose, and palate will stay with you for the evening.

3. Tenute deAngelis Rosso Piceno 2008
Marche, Italy
$9.99 750ml $95.90 case

Here is a wine with great versatility and complexity at a price that is simply a bargain. It is comprised of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese. DeAngelis wines consistently get very good reviews from Gambero Rosso and on several occasions have received the “Tre Bicchieri” Award. This will be your new Red for Italian night!

4. Bon Cap The Ruins Chardonnay Viognier 2009
Robertson, South Africa
$8.99 750ml $86.30 case

Another great value from the other wonder from down under: South Africa. This 60% Chardonnay, 40% Viognier blend has white peach and floral aromas and flavors with a little bit of acidity that gives the wine balance. Elegance at a value price.

5. Hacienda Araucano Carmenere 2008
Colchagua Valley, Chile
$11.99 750ml $115.10 case

That’s a spicy meat-a-ball! This South American beauty is packed with big spicy aromas of chili powder, paprika and black raspberries. On the palate the fruit and spice are huge. Impress your friends at that dinner party with this great value.

6. Wild Rock Pinot Noir 2008
Central Otago, New Zealand
$14.99 750ml $143.90 case

The cool climate of the world’s southern-most wine region is ideal for growing Pinot Noir, when combined with great winemaking, it is capable of producing world class juice. TJ Peabody and Steve Smith MW, the minds behind New Zealand’s famous Craggy Range, are responsible for this succulent, lush, and slightly herbaceous beauty.

7. Casa de la Sal Tinto Reserva 2004
Alicante, Spain
$9.99 750ml $95.90 case

This Spanish beauty comes from Valencia. Made from the Monastrell grape, this dark red has aromas that explode out of the glass; notes of ripe berry fruit, roasted meat, and mineral flavors. It opens up beautifully, leading to a balsamic finish. Paired with roasted pork tenderloin, it would make for a scrumptious meal.

8. Ledgewood Creek Owl House Red NV
California
$9.99 750ml $95.90 case

Having no vintage and a secret blend (maybe Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Merlot, Cinsault?), make this juicy, plump, and vibrant red intriguing. We chose it for our “Top 12” because it is an oddity and is simply delicious. Flavors of dark berries, plum, and black currant are accompanied by a warm mouth-feel and a long finish. A cheeseburger or a pizza “wit da works” is the way to go here.

9. Wurtz Potate! Dry Riesling 2008
Rheinhessen, Germany
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

A discovery Elon made while in German, Wurtz makes some very good modern Riesling. Crisp, dry, and fruit forward, with flavors of lime, grapefruit, and slight mineral, it is perfect for sushi or just sipping. Potate means “cheers” in Latin, so drink up!

10. Cresta Azul Petillant White NV
Spain
$9.99 750ml $95.90 case

This is for those lovers of bold esoteric whites. Petillant means lightly sparkling, and that light fizz is balanced ever so elegantly with a delicate sweetness and interesting notes of lavender and sweet citrus fruit aromas and flavors. 50% Macabeo, 25% Moscatel, 15% Parellada and 10% Xarello.

11. Rust en Vrede Merlot 2008
Stellenbosch, South Africa
$14.99 750ml $143.90 case

This Merlot is a truly new experience. The elements of the soil and the lusty climate of South Africa create the delicious character of this elegant, yet bold and spicy red.

12. Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2007
Tuscany, Italy
$14.99 750ml $143.90 case

From a world-class producer of Brunello comes this 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon “baby Brunello” that is packed with dark fruit, slight herb, spice, lively tannin and good acid; the definition of good Italian table wine. So food friendly you might have to replace the salt shaker with a case of this beauty.