Two Hundred Bottles Deep, Zero Surprises
Loudonville · Albany · New American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Black & Blue Steak and Crab’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Two hundred bottles sounds impressive until you scan the list and realize you've seen every single one of these wines at a TGI Fridays with a better lighting budget. The room is genuinely nice — dark wood, proper ambiance, the kind of place that makes you want to order a serious bottle — and the list has the right bones for a steakhouse. It just never swings for anything beyond the obvious.
Napa and Sonoma carry most of the weight here, with Bordeaux and Burgundy rounding out the prestige tier — a completely sensible setup for a steakhouse, executed with zero curiosity. Jordan Cab, Rombauer Chard, Meiomi Pinot, Whispering Angel: these are the hits on every Greatest Hits album you've already heard. Louis Jadot representing Burgundy is fine but feels like the department store version of the category. If you're hoping for a grower Champagne, an underdog Willamette Pinot, or anything that makes you put down your phone, keep hoping.
Somewhere between 15 and 25 pours by the glass, which is a decent spread for a steakhouse crowd that wants options without committing to a bottle. The selections mirror the broader list — recognizable names, reliable execution, nothing that's going to start a conversation. Rotation appears minimal; this feels like a list that gets set at the start of the season and largely stays there.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan is the steakhouse Cab that actually deserves its reputation — structured, food-friendly, and consistently well-made out of Alexander Valley. In this context, it's the most honest bottle on the list and the one most likely to match what you're eating without a markup that makes you wince. Specific pricing wasn't available in our data, but it's the pick if you're going bottle.
Louis Jadot Burgundy
Everyone at the table is ordering Napa Cab, so the Jadot Burgundy just sits there getting ignored. At a steakhouse, a village-level Burgundy — especially alongside the dry-aged ribeye — can be a revelation if you're willing to think outside the bold-red playbook. It won't wow you on paper, but it'll outperform its price point against the right cut.
Whispering Angel Rosé
Whispering Angel has become the most marked-up wine in the country relative to what's actually in the bottle. You're paying for the Instagram label at a price that buys genuinely interesting wine elsewhere on this list. In a steakhouse, it's also just a strange call — order it at brunch, not alongside a $60 ribeye.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-Aged Ribeye
This is the pairing the list was built around, and it works exactly as advertised. Jordan's firm tannins and dark fruit cut through the fat cap on a dry-aged ribeye without overwhelming the beef's natural funk. Sometimes the obvious call is obvious for a reason.
The Bottom Line
Black & Blue is a dependable steakhouse wine list — well-stocked, zero risk, and priced for people who aren't flinching at the check. If you came for the ribeye and want a bottle that won't let you down, you'll find one. Just don't come expecting discovery.
· Albany · Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood
Choose by budget, check bottle size, and confirm the current menu. We haven't independently assessed service, glassware or storage.
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse
Order by the glass and explore: the posted menu gives you Riesling, Chablis, Cahors and Rioja without a bottle commitment. Pentimento at $16 is our price-conscious red starting point. Check the current list before ordering; the complete cellar, service and storage haven't been independently verified.
West Albany · Albany · Italian
Grappa ’72 gives you several ways into Italian wine without committing to a prestige bottle. Our move is Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva at $47/bottle for the table, or Bigi Orvietto at $9/glass if you want your own white. Confirm the current vintage and price when ordering.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Clinton Square · Albany · Modern Mexican / Latin-inspired
Ama Cocina isn't a destination wine bar, but it's a Wild Card worth respecting — a food-forward Latin spot that actually thought about its wine list instead of phoning it in. Come for the tacos, order the Albariño, and be pleasantly surprised.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Warehouse District/Riverfront · Albany · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Shaker & Vine is Albany's best argument for the self-pour wine bar format — the markup is shockingly fair, the riverside setting earns its keep, and the list is approachable without being embarrassing. Don't come hunting for rare producers, but do come for a relaxed pour with a view.
Solid Range
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Colonie · Albany · Classic Italian-American
Lombardo's wine list is the culinary equivalent of a comfortable booth — nothing revelatory, but nothing offensive, and it gets the job done alongside a plate of baked ziti. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to order the Barolo if they want to feel like they tried.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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