Italian heavy hitters, South Beach energy
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· American, Italian Β· Visit Website β
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Carbone Miami hits you like the room itself β loud, confident, and unapologetically expensive. Flip through it and you're immediately staring down Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Gaja Barbaresco before you've even ordered bread. This is a list built to impress, and it largely succeeds.
Italy is the clear center of gravity here, with Tuscany and Piedmont doing the heavy lifting β think Biondi-Santi Brunello, Giacomo Conterno Barolo, Bruno Giacosa Barolo, and Tignanello sitting alongside each other like old friends. Dal Forno Romano's Amarone makes an appearance for those who want something massive and brooding from the Veneto. California shows up strong too, with Opus One, Caymus Cabernet, and Dominus Estate rounding out the list for guests who want to stay in familiar territory. France gets a seat at the table with ChΓ’teau Margaux, but the Italian selections are clearly where the passion lives β the 500-700 bottle range earns Carbone its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, held since 2021, and walking through this list, you understand why.
Twenty to thirty-five pours by the glass is a serious commitment at this price point, and Carbone doesn't mail it in on the glass program. Expect solid Italian representation alongside California options to keep the crowd happy. Rotation details are limited from the outside, but with four sommeliers on the floor, the program is clearly staffed to keep things moving and relevant.
Tignanello (Antinori) β $200β$250
In a room full of $400+ trophy bottles, Tignanello is the sweet spot β a genuine Super Tuscan from Antinori that drinks well above its price relative to everything else on this list. It's the bottle that shows you know what you're doing without blowing your entire dinner budget on wine.
Amarone della Valpolicella by Dal Forno Romano
Most tables at Carbone default to a Barolo or a California Cab, which means the Dal Forno Romano Amarone gets overlooked. That's a mistake. Dal Forno makes one of the most concentrated, age-worthy Amarones in the Veneto β it's a showstopper for anyone willing to order outside the usual playbook.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a crowd-pleaser by design, and restaurants charge accordingly. At Carbone's markup tier, you're paying a significant premium for a bottle that retails everywhere. The Italian options at similar or slightly higher price points will drink rings around it and actually match the room.
Barolo by Giacomo Conterno + Veal Parmesan
Conterno's Barolo has the structure and acidity to cut through the richness of a braised veal and tomato situation without overwhelming the dish. The tannins need something meaty to lean on, and Veal Parmesan delivers exactly that. Classic match in a room that was made for exactly this kind of order.
π₯ The Bottom Line
Carbone Miami is exactly what it's supposed to be: an Italian-American power room with a wine list to match, staffed by sommeliers who actually know what they're selling. The markups are steep, but the depth and pedigree here are real β if you're going to splurge on wine in Miami, this is the place to do it.
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· Mediterranean
HaSalon is the last place you'd expect to find a serious Burgundy program, and that's exactly what makes it a Wild Card worth your time. Come for the dinner, stay for the dance party, and let Yoann Bagat point you toward something from the CΓ΄te d'Or you won't regret in the morning.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· Seafood, Steakhouse
Papi Steak's wine list is built for the room β big, bold, and built to impress β and it does its job well enough to earn a Wine Spectator nod. Send a friend here if they love Cabernet, a good steak, and don't mind paying Miami prices for the privilege.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· Italian
Macchialina is the rare Miami Beach restaurant where the wine list doesn't feel like an afterthought or a tourist trap β it's a focused, Italy-only program that rewards curious drinkers and won't empty your wallet before dessert. Send a friend here? Absolutely, but tell them to skip the Amarone.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· Steak House
Smith & Wollensky Miami Beach earns its Best of Award of Excellence β this is a deep, well-managed list with a real sommelier and a Wednesday half-price program that makes serious bottles suddenly accessible. The markups on the trophy wines are steep, but if you know where to look, you can drink very well here.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· Steak House
Prime 54 is the real deal β a cellar that earns the award on its wall, a sommelier who actually knows the list, and enough depth to reward repeat visits at multiple price points. Just go in with eyes open on the markup, pick your battles, and let Eugenia steer you past the obvious choices.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Miami Beach Β· Miami Beach Β· Japanese
Makoto is a genuinely surprising wine list hiding inside a beautiful Japanese restaurant by the ocean β the France and California depth is real, the Wednesday half-price night is a gift, and the Puligny from Leflaive alone is worth the detour. Just know that the markups climb fast once you move into trophy territory, and there's no dedicated sommelier to guide you through it.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Austin Β· Austin Β· American, Italian
Sammie's is a genuinely fun room with a wine list that's earned its Wine Spectator hardware β the Italian depth is real, the sommelier knows her stuff, and Monday half-price bottles might be the best deal in Austin. Just go in knowing the markups lean steep, and let Jenny point you toward the plays that aren't on the tourist track.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Las Vegas Strip Β· Las Vegas Β· American, Italian
Alexxa's is a Strip restaurant doing Strip things β great location, recognizable bottles, pricing that reflects the real estate. If you're here for fountain views and a glass of Cakebread, you'll be genuinely happy; if you're hunting for value or adventure, look elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Houston Β· Houston Β· American, Italian
Milton's is the kind of neighborhood trattoria that surprises you β the room says casual pasta night, the wine list quietly whispers Biondi-Santi. If you care about Italian wine and you're in Houston, it's worth a reservation just to explore the bottle list.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
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.