801 Chophouse
A Steak Town's Wine List Done Right
Clayton · St. Louis · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 29, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The list lands with the confidence of a place that knows its audience — red-meat eaters with money to spend and a preference for California Cab. But flip past the first page and there's more going on here than the usual chophouse checklist.
Selection Deep Dive
At 200-300 bottles, this is a serious list for a steakhouse. California dominates, as expected — Paso Robles, Napa, Alexander Valley — but there are genuine detours into Willamette Valley Pinot, Piedmont Barolo, Rioja, and Argentina that show someone with actual taste put this together. The Fontanafredda Barolo is a real signal: this isn't just a list of brand names for expense-account diners. Gaps exist — Burgundy and Rhône are thin to non-existent, and the Old World could use more depth — but the range across price points is genuinely useful.
By the Glass
Nineteen by-the-glass options is a strong number for a steakhouse, and the spread from $14 to $55 means you're not boxed into one price tier. Highlights include the Catena Malbec and Terlan Pinot Grigio for lighter-wallet nights, and the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon for when you want to feel like a professional.
Catena Malbec — $17/glass
At $17 a glass with a retail bottle hovering around $20, this is the rare by-the-glass pour that actually makes mathematical sense. It's a crowd-pleaser from a rock-solid Argentine producer, and it holds its own next to a steak at a fraction of what the Napa options cost you.
Fontanafredda Barolo
Most tables at a St. Louis steakhouse are going straight for California Cab — which means this Barolo gets overlooked constantly. That's a mistake. Fontanafredda is a legitimate Piedmont producer, and Barolo next to red meat is one of the better arguments for the Old World. Let the Daou crowd have their moment.
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon
Nothing wrong with Justin — it's a perfectly fine Paso Cab — but it's also the wine your uncle brings to Thanksgiving. You're at a steakhouse with a somm on staff and a Barolo on the list. Ordering Justin is leaving the interesting stuff on the table.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Double Cut Colorado Lamb Chops
Jordan's Alexander Valley Cab has enough structure to stand up to lamb without steamrolling it — it's the more elegant move compared to a bigger Napa bottle. The fruit-forward character plays against the richness of the double cut without turning the whole thing into a tannin war.
Unspecified — Half-price on all by-the-glass options priced $30 or under. Check with the restaurant for the current night — this is the move if you want to work through several pours without the bill becoming a conversation topic.
✔️ The Bottom Line
801 Chophouse in St. Louis earns its reputation — fair pours, a thoughtful list that goes beyond the obvious, and a sommelier who's actually there. This is where you take someone you want to impress without worrying the wine list will embarrass you.
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