California Classics Done Right in the Piedmont
Hickory · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated November 2026
Reviewed April 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Charolais Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Charolais reads like a greatest hits album from Napa Valley — Caymus, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Far Niente. It's confident and deliberate, built to complement a serious steak, not to challenge or surprise you. For a steakhouse in Hickory, NC, holding a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2020, that focused intent carries real weight.
The list sits in the 150-250 bottle range with a tight California-forward identity — Cabernet Sauvignon rules the room, flanked by a handful of Chardonnays and a Duckhorn Merlot to keep things honest. You'll find the reliable anchors: Jordan and Silver Oak for the crowd, Stag's Leap for the steak purist, and Cakebread and Far Niente holding down the white wine corner. Don't come here hunting Burgundy, Rhône, or anything with a screw cap — this list knows what it is and doesn't apologize for it. The gap is real depth beyond California; if you want Old World options, you're largely out of luck.
With 12-20 by-the-glass options, there's enough to navigate a full dinner without committing to a bottle, which is appreciated. The pours likely track the same California-heavy lineup as the full list, so expect Cabernet and Chardonnay to dominate the board. Rotation appears minimal — this isn't a program chasing seasonal variety, it's a static lineup built for consistency.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan punches well above its typical restaurant markup tier — it's polished, food-friendly, and widely available enough that you know you're not getting gouged on a mystery bottle. At a steakhouse in this price range, it's the move that won't leave you second-guessing.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at the table is reaching for Cabernet, and that's fine — but the Duckhorn Merlot is quietly one of the best pours on the list. Rich, structured, and built for beef without the tannin sledgehammer of a big Cab. Most people skip it because it says Merlot on the label. Their loss.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a steakhouse staple for a reason, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in the American restaurant ecosystem. You're paying a premium for brand recognition at this point — the wine itself has gotten noticeably riper and more extracted over the years. Put that money toward the Far Niente or a second pour of Jordan.
Far Niente Chardonnay + Lobster Tail
Far Niente Chardonnay brings enough richness and toasty oak to hold its own against a butter-dressed lobster tail without steamrolling it. It's one of the few wines on this list that actually earns its spot alongside something from the sea rather than a ribeye.
The Bottom Line
Charolais is a reliable, well-curated steakhouse wine program that plays it safe and plays it well — the Wine Spectator credential is deserved, even if the list won't light anyone on fire. If you're in Hickory and want a serious Cab with a serious steak, this is your place.
Westwood · Los Angeles · American, Steakhouse
A Cabernet-first list with 30 glasses and a long bottle book, but no wine prices posted online. If you want a known price, the $9 happy hour Bonanza Cabernet by Caymus is the one posted figure, and if you want to step away from Cabernet, try the Il Bruciato Super Tuscan by the glass. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Scottsdale · Scottsdale · American, Steakhouse
A very large list with a long glass section, from a $14 Muscadet to a $90 pour of Krug. Start with the $14/glass Mélon de Bourgogne, then look at the Arizona Selections page if you want an Arizona bottle, and confirm prices because the PDF says they are subject to change. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Van Ness / Polk · San Francisco · American, Steakhouse
A serious steakhouse list with a glass program you can actually use: 32 pours by the stem from 14 to 99 and California Cabernet across eight pages. Start with the Keenan Cabernet at 22 by the stem, or step up to the Jordan Alexander Valley at 129 with the Porterhouse, and ask which vintages are current since the list is subject to vintage change. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
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