California Hits, Carmel Clubhouse, Zero Surprises
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.
City Center · Carmel · Seafood & Steak
Salt is a reliable date-night option in Carmel's City Center — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't ruin your evening either. If you're here for the Chilean sea bass and a bottle of something from the French or California section, you'll leave happy enough.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Carmel · Tasting Menu / New American
Freeland's is doing something genuinely interesting with wine in a suburb that doesn't require it of them — and the pricing is fair enough that you should take advantage. Send your friends here; just make sure they order off the middle of the list, not the top.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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
East Village · New York · American Steakhouse
A compact glass list at a beef-focused restaurant: 11 pours from $19 to $39 across France, Italy, Germany and California. Start with the $24 Domaine Perraud Chardonnay, or the $30 Signorello 'Edge' Cabernet if you're ordering steak, and confirm current pours because the page isn't dated. This unrated guide covers the posted glass list, not service, storage or markups.
Midtown · New York · American Steakhouse
A 37-wine glass list, with Napa Cabernet and red blends at the top of the Sommelier Selections. Start with the Terrazas Malbec (6 oz. $16) or the Musar "Jeune Rouge" (6 oz. $18), and pour the Shafer "TD-9" with your steak. The page shows no bottle list and no date, so confirm what is available. This unrated guide covers the posted glass list, not service, storage or markups.
Magnificent Mile · Chicago · American Steakhouse
A long list with a lot of price headroom: bottles run from $50 to $8,000, so set your ceiling before you open it. For a glass, start with the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon at 26/120 or the Reverdy Sancerre at 25/118, and for a cheaper bottle go to the $50 Cune Crianza. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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