Arkansas steak country gets a serious wine list
Hot Springs · Seafood, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 10, 2026
RagingWine reviewed 501 Prime’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at 501 Prime reads like a greatest hits of American steakhouse wine — California Cabs front and center, France represented by the reliable names, and nothing that will make you scratch your head. In Hot Springs, Arkansas, that's not a knock; it's actually impressive that anyone here is taking wine this seriously.
The 150-250 bottle list leans heavily on California and France, which makes sense given the menu and the clientele. You'll find the Big Napa names — Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Opus One — alongside Jordan and Duckhorn Merlot for those who want a step down in intensity. France shows up primarily through Louis Jadot Burgundy and Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling rounding out the edges. It's a list built for agreement, not adventure, but within those guardrails it does the job for a prime steakhouse.
The by-the-glass program runs 12-20 options, which is a solid count for a restaurant of this size and market. We'd expect the pours to track the bottle list — California-heavy with a few approachable French options — but without a dedicated sommelier driving rotation, don't count on the glass list changing much with the seasons.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $40–$60 estimated bottle range
Jordan consistently punches above its price point in the Napa/Sonoma Cab category — structured, food-friendly, and a smarter order than the more hyped names on this list.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Most people at a steakhouse walk straight past the Riesling column, and that's a mistake. With the butter-poached lobster tail on the menu, a well-made Washington Riesling is genuinely the right call — brighter and more refreshing than anything Napa can offer at the table.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy pour and the markup at any restaurant reflects that. You're paying for the name here, not a transcendent glass experience you couldn't get from Jordan or Silver Oak for a fraction of the price.
Duckhorn Merlot + Filet Mignon
Duckhorn Merlot is plush and structured without the tannin weight of a big Cab — it lets a well-prepared filet stay the star while still holding its own on the palate.
The Bottom Line
501 Prime is doing something genuinely worthwhile for Hot Springs — a Wine Spectator-recognized list in a market where the bar is low and the effort is real. It won't surprise seasoned wine travelers, but it'll absolutely satisfy a table of steak lovers who want to drink well without doing homework.
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One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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