California Hits, Carmel Clubhouse, Zero Surprises
Carmel · Carmel · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Anthony's Chophouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Anthony's Chophouse reads exactly like the room looks — polished, confident, and firmly planted in California. You're not here to be surprised; you're here to drink well with a ribeye and feel good about it. That's a perfectly valid goal, and the list delivers on it.
With 200-300 selections, this is a serious list for Carmel, Indiana — but don't expect it to wander far from the usual steakhouse suspects. Caymus, Silver Oak, Opus One, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Rombauer, Far Niente — it's the California greatest hits album, played loud and proud. There's real depth within that lane, and the four-person sommelier team (Shaun Slinkard, Zach Wilks, Ricardo Linton, Alex Tobey) means someone actually knows what's in the cellar. What's missing is any meaningful Old World representation or adventurous pours that would push this list from reliable to genuinely exciting.
Twenty to thirty-five by-the-glass options is generous for a steakhouse, and the $12-$25 range suggests they're not just pouring the cheapest stuff they can find. The glass program skews predictably toward California Cabs and Chardonnays, which is exactly what most guests ordering a bone-in strip are going to want anyway. No evidence of a rotating program — what you see is probably what you'll get on your next visit too.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $40+
Jordan consistently overdelivers for the price tier in a steakhouse context — structured enough to hold its own against red meat, elegant enough not to beat you over the head with oak. In a list where Opus One is lurking at triple-digit prices, Jordan is the smart play.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at the table is ordering Cab, and that's fine, but the Duckhorn Merlot deserves a second look. It's got the weight to handle a filet without the tannic punch that can overwhelm the more delicate cuts — and most diners will walk right past it for something with a bigger name.
Opus One
Yes, it's iconic. Yes, it belongs on a list like this. But Opus One at a steakhouse is almost always carrying a markup that makes the actual wine-to-dollar ratio painful. Unless someone else is signing the check, your money goes further elsewhere on this list.
Far Niente Chardonnay + Lobster Bisque
The Far Niente is rich and full without being flabby — exactly what you want against a cream-forward bisque. The wine's weight matches the dish without drowning out the sweetness of the lobster, and it makes the whole thing feel like an occasion.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Anthony's Chophouse is the wine list equivalent of a well-executed classic steakhouse — it's not going to challenge you, but it's not going to let you down either. If you're in Carmel and you want California Cab with your dry-aged ribeye, this is your room.
North Meridian / 96th Street corridor · Carmel · Hotel Restaurant / American
Grille 39 is fine — and fine is the ceiling. If you're staying at the hotel and don't want to drive anywhere, the wine list will get you through dinner without incident. Just don't go out of your way for it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest Carmel · Carmel · Upscale Italian
Convivio is a reliable wine destination for Northwest Carmel — the Italian focus is coherent, the top-tier bottles are legitimate, and it'll satisfy most tables without complaint. The markups sting a bit and the list plays it too safe to earn a higher badge, but if you're in the neighborhood and want a proper bottle with dinner, you won't leave disappointed.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown Carmel · Carmel · American comfort with global-fusion influences
Aberdeen Social House is doing more with its wine list than the address or the concept would lead you to believe, and Rootstock's global curation keeps it from feeling like an afterthought. Not a destination wine program yet, but a genuinely solid call for the north side of Indy.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
City Center · Carmel · Cafe / New American
Café Patachou is a genuinely good café that simply doesn't care about wine — and that's fine, because neither does most of its lunch crowd. Come for the French toast, grab a Ramona if you need bubbles, and don't come here expecting anything resembling a wine program.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Carmel Arts & Design District · Carmel · Italian café and trattoria
Mezzo is a perfectly comfortable neighborhood Italian spot with a wine list that matches its vibe — approachable, familiar, and not trying too hard. If you know what you're doing, steer toward the Chianti Classico options and away from the marquee brands; if you don't, you'll still have a fine glass of wine with your pasta.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
City Center · Carmel · Italian / Steakhouse
Tucci's Carmel isn't trying to reinvent wine in Indiana, and that's fine — it's a reliable, Italian-focused list that does its job alongside good food. Show up on a Monday, grab a bottle of Tignanello at half price, and you're having a genuinely great night.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
East Side · Green Bay · American Steakhouse
LongHorn is a perfectly fine place to eat a steak in Green Bay — just don't expect the wine list to keep up with the kitchen. Order a cocktail, split a bottle of the Malbec if you must, and save the serious wine drinking for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Belleair Bluffs · Clearwater · American Steakhouse
E&E Stakeout Grill is a perfectly decent neighborhood steakhouse wine list that asks too much on most nights — but Wine Wednesday flips the math entirely and makes this one of the better value plays in the Clearwater area. Come on a Wednesday, order the Chianti Classico, and you'll have zero complaints.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Unknown · Billings · American Steakhouse
Texas Roadhouse Billings is not a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — but the gap between the quality of the food and the quality of the wine list is real. Order the Chateau Ste. Michelle, eat the rolls, and save your serious wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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