Napa hits and prime cuts, downtown Bend
Downtown Bend · Bend · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 18, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Bos Taurus’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Bos Taurus reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished steakhouse that knows its audience: Napa heavy, brand-forward, and built to move bottles alongside dry-aged beef. It's not trying to surprise you, and it largely doesn't — but it's executed well enough that you won't feel stranded when the list lands on your table.
The backbone here is California Cabernet, with marquee names like Caymus and Jordan anchoring the reds alongside Duckhorn Merlot for anyone hedging their bets. There's a genuine nod to the Pacific Northwest with Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley representation, which keeps things locally relevant and gives the list a bit of personality beyond the standard steakhouse playbook. Bordeaux makes a cameo, adding some old-world credibility without going deep enough to call this a serious cellar. Gaps exist — you won't find much in the way of Italy, Spain, or anything remotely off the beaten path.
With 12 to 20 by-the-glass options, there's enough range to navigate a table of mixed preferences without defaulting to the house pour. Rombauer Chardonnay almost certainly anchors the white side of the glass list, because of course it does, and that's not a complaint when you're eating prime beef in central Oregon. The rotation appears static — don't expect a chalkboard special or a sommelier-curated seasonal pour any time soon.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan consistently overdelivers for its category — it's a recognizable name that actually earns its reputation. At a steakhouse where most bottles skew toward four-figure ambitions, Jordan gives you Alexander Valley elegance without requiring a second mortgage. If the markup is reasonable relative to retail, this is your move.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at the table is grabbing Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets ignored. That's a mistake. Duckhorn essentially rehabilitated Merlot's reputation in Napa, and their Three Palms bottling or estate expression drinks with more structure and complexity than most diners expect. Order it and watch your tablemates regret their choice.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a steakhouse staple for a reason — name recognition — but the markup at restaurants like this is reliably punishing, and the wine itself has drifted toward a sweet, over-extracted style that divides serious wine drinkers. You're paying for the label more than the glass. Jordan does the job better for less.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-aged ribeye
Jordan's firm tannins and dark fruit profile are built for exactly this situation. The fat and char on a dry-aged ribeye soften the wine's edges while the Cab cuts through the richness. Classic combination, properly executed.
The Bottom Line
Bos Taurus is a reliable steakhouse wine list that plays the hits without apology — it won't expand your horizons, but it won't embarrass you either. Send a friend here if they want a great bottle of California Cab with a serious steak; tell them to skip the Caymus and grab the Jordan instead.
Westside · Bend · American, Brew Pub
Start with Rock Point if Pinot Noir is your preference, or Greenwing if you want Pinot Grigio. The posted menu keeps six of its seven wines in one price band, but leaves the serving labels unstated. Ask before ordering; this guide is based on the menu, not an onsite tasting.
Westside · Bend · New American
Set the pairing budget first: $50 standard or $100 reserve, added to the $120 tasting menu. Bringing your own? Posted corkage is $40 per 750 ml bottle; confirm any other conditions. These posted terms were checked in September 2026, not assessed through an onsite tasting.
· Bend · Italian, French, Mediterranean
Start with the $14 Durello, then give a less familiar grape a turn. This guide uses the posted glass menu checked in September 2026; confirm availability. It doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
Old Mill District · Bend · Wine Bar
For a Va Piano visit in Bend, head to the Wine & Champagne Bar at 425 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 301. Confirm the current wines and pour prices directly, and reserve ahead for groups of six or more. The winery’s subscription page is not a tasting-room menu.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Eastside · Bend · Casual American café with wood-fired pizza and seasonal, locally sourced dishes
Do not use this Eastside review to plan a current Jackson’s Corner visit. Sunriver Brewing lists its Eastside Pub at the Cushing Drive address; Jackson’s Corner lists 845 NW Delaware Avenue. Confirm the location and current wine menu directly before making plans.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eastside · Bend · Italian
Salute isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's built a list that actually respects the cuisine it's serving — and in a casual Italian spot in Bend, that puts it well ahead of the competition. Send a friend here, point them at the Vermentino or the Le Volte, and they'll thank you.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Irvine · Steakhouse
Bourbon Steak Irvine is running one of the most ambitious wine programs in Orange County — 225 labels, 31 by the glass, and a list with genuine personality beyond the expected steakhouse anchors. Markups get steep at the top end, but the by-the-glass range at the $15–$32 tier offers real drinking at fair prices. If you care about what's in your glass, this list rewards the attention.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Irvine · Steakhouse
The Capital Grille Costa Mesa is exactly what it is: a well-run corporate steakhouse with a Champagne list that punches above the room's ambition and a Chardonnay section that covers the safe California bases reliably. Markups are steep throughout and the list doesn't take any risks, but if you know what you want — a glass of Hartford Court or a bottle of Schramsberg before your steak — you'll be fine. Just don't come looking for discovery.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Honolulu · Steakhouse
The Capital Grille Hawaii's wine list does what the brand does everywhere — it's safe, corporate, and priced to capture resort-market margins. The Champagne selection is genuinely deep and includes some worthwhile picks like the Paul Bara and the Llopart Cava, but markups are steep and there's little here to excite anyone looking beyond the obvious. If you're here for a steak and want bubbles, you'll find something that works — just don't expect the list to dazzle you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
