Safe Harbor for a Midweek Chianti Fix
Preston & 190 area · Plano · Italian Grill · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 25, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Carrabba's Italian Grill – Plano’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here reads like a greatest-hits compilation of Italian-American dining — familiar names, approachable prices, zero surprises. It's not trying to impress you, and honestly, it doesn't need to. At $8–$14 a glass, the barrier to entry is low enough that you can order a second pour without doing math.
The list leans predictably into Italian whites and California reds, which at least tracks with the food. Ruffino Chianti Classico anchors the Italian side with some credibility, while the California contingent is led by Meiomi and Kendall-Jackson — workhorses that show up on every casual-dining list from here to Fresno. There's no real depth beyond the 30–50 label range, no grower Champagne hiding in a corner, no interesting southern Italian stuff worth hunting. What you see is what you get.
The BTG program runs 12–18 options, which is generous for a neighborhood Italian grill. Expect the usual suspects — Caposaldo and Ecco Domani trading blows for the Pinot Grigio slot, Meiomi doing the heavy lifting for red wine drinkers. Rotation appears minimal; this list probably looks the same as it did two years ago.
Ruffino Chianti Classico — $30
It's the only wine on this list with real regional identity. Chianti Classico at a fair restaurant markup means you're actually drinking something with Sangiovese structure and a sense of place — not just fruit-forward filler.
Ruffino Chianti Classico
Most tables at Carrabba's default to Meiomi or KJ Chard without a second thought. The Chianti Classico is the one bottle here that actually belongs next to the food — it's got the acidity to cut through wood-grilled meat and tomato sauce in a way that California Pinot Noir simply doesn't.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
A reliable grocery store bottle that regularly retails for $13–$15. Even at a fair restaurant markup it's hard to get excited about paying twice that for something you could grab at Tom Thumb on the way over.
Ruffino Chianti Classico + Chicken Bryan
The lemon butter and sun-dried tomato in Chicken Bryan needs acidity to keep it from going flat — and Sangiovese's bright cherry and earthy backbone does exactly that without overwhelming the dish.
The Bottom Line
Carrabba's Plano isn't a wine destination, but it's not a wine disaster either. If you're here for dinner with the family and want a solid glass without any drama, the Chianti Classico earns its keep.
· Plano · American Steakhouse Grille
What we have here is a six-bottle wine dinner roster masquerading as a wine program — and every one of those bottles comes from the same producer family. That's not a wine list, that's a sponsorship. Until Del Frisco's Grille Plano puts actual curation into its wine program, we'd suggest leaning into the cocktail menu instead.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
· Plano · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Plano isn't trying to be a wine destination and doesn't pretend otherwise — but that all-day $6 happy hour on South American wines, anchored by solid producers like Alamos and Calina, gives the list a practical generosity that earns it some respect. If you're here for the churrasco experience, the Catena Malbec at $12 is your move. Wine enthusiasts should calibrate expectations accordingly, but nobody's walking away feeling gouged.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Active Program
Acceptable
· Plano · Steakhouse
Del Frisco's Plano delivers a wine list that does its job without doing anything exciting — it's competent, recognizable, and priced for a room where the company card is doing the heavy lifting. If you're here for the steak and want a bottle that won't embarrass you, the list handles that. If you're here to drink well on your own dime, the markup will sting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Legacy West · Plano · Italian
Taverna – Legacy West is a solid Italian restaurant with a wine program that reflects its roots in northern Italy — if you stick to the regional Italian selections, you're probably in good shape. We'd love more transparency on pricing and pour options before giving it a stronger endorsement, but for Legacy West, this clears the bar comfortably. Go for the branzino and ask your server what's drinking well from the Piedmont section.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Plano · New American
The Mercury is a safe, competent wine list for a polished New American in Plano — you won't be stuck drinking something bad, but you probably won't discover anything new either. If you're here, the Allegrini Ripasso is worth the detour from the obvious picks, and we'd skip the Moët unless someone else is paying.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Plano · Healthy New American
Flower Child's wine program exists in name only — six unnamed pours between $9 and $10 tell you exactly how much thought went into this. If you're here for the grain bowls and good vibes, great. If you want to drink wine with intention, you're in the wrong place. Order a sparkling water and move on.
Grocery Store
Fair
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.
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