Big steaks, safe pours, zero surprises
Northeast / University Village · Colorado Springs · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated October 2026
Reviewed June 14, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Cowboy Star reads exactly like the room looks — polished, Western-leaning, and built to impress without taking any real risks. You know what you're getting before you even open it: Napa Cabs, a Willamette Pinot, maybe a Washington red for good measure. It's a greatest-hits record, and they're playing every track.
The list runs somewhere between 80 and 130 bottles, anchored hard in Napa Valley and Sonoma, with some Willamette Valley and Washington State filling out the red wine flanks. Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Far Niente — these are the brands that sell themselves, and Cowboy Star leans on that hard. There's nothing wrong with any of these wines, but there's also nothing here that will make a curious drinker feel seen. Gaps in European imports, natural wine, and anything off the beaten California path are wide enough to drive a chuck wagon through.
The by-the-glass program runs 10 to 18 options, priced $12 to $22 — respectable range for a steakhouse at this level. Expect the usual suspects poured in that bracket: a Napa Cab, a Chardonnay, probably a Pinot and a Merlot. The selection doesn't rotate much, and that ceiling of $22 a glass on bottles marked up steeply means the per-ounce math gets uncomfortable fast.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $22
Jordan is consistently well-made, food-friendly, and approachable without the cult markup that follows Caymus or Silver Oak. At the top of the by-the-glass range, it's the most honest pour on the list — structured enough for a ribeye, soft enough to not demand your full attention.
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
Everyone at a steakhouse is scanning for Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets ignored. It shouldn't be. Duckhorn basically kept Merlot alive post-Sideways and this bottle drinks with more complexity than its reputation suggests. Order it before someone at the table vetoes it.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Caymus is fine wine that has become a restaurant markup machine. It's wildly over-ordered, which means it's priced accordingly. You're paying for the name recognition at this point, and Jordan or even the Duckhorn will give you a better experience dollar-for-dollar.
Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley + Dry-aged butcher's cut
Counterintuitive, but a rich, buttery Far Niente Chardonnay alongside dry-aged beef works better than you'd expect — the wine's oak and weight mirror the umami depth of the aged cut without fighting it. It's the move when everyone else at the table is locked into red.
The Bottom Line
Cowboy Star delivers exactly what a Colorado Springs steakhouse crowd wants from a wine list — familiar names, properly stored, and no homework required. It's not a destination for wine, but it won't embarrass you either; just steer toward Jordan over Caymus and pocket the difference.
Pleasant Valley · Colorado Springs · Steakhouse
A compact, fully priced list of 16 wines with a glass and a bottle price printed for every wine. Start with the Angeline Cabernet at $10 a glass for a low-cost red, or the L' Ecole Merlot at $17 if you want the Washington bottle, and confirm prices since the page is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Central · Colorado Springs · Fine Dining
A bottle list with a long Napa Cabernet section and prices from 40 to 3,500, plus an 11-pour glass section at $7 to $25. Start with the Wine Specials page, where the Viña Alberdi Reserva Tempranillo is on the $60 list, or the CVNE Monopole Blanco at 40, and confirm prices because nothing is dated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Colorado Springs · Southwestern
A glass-focused list of 29 wines priced 12 to 21 beside a four-course Southwest menu. Start with the Scaia Corvina at 12 or the Bieler Cotes du Rhone Villages at 14, and confirm prices, since the image is named Summer-Cocktails-2026 and shows glass pours only. This unrated guide covers the posted glass list, not service, storage or markups.
Garden of the Gods · Colorado Springs · American
A large, classic list built around Napa Cabernet, Bordeaux and Burgundy, with 13 glasses from $10 and a short Colorado section worth a look. Start with the $15 Catena Zapata Malbec by the glass, or order the $75 Ordinary Fellow Pinot Noir from Montezuma Valley, and check the vintage before you commit to a big bottle. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Old Colorado City · Colorado Springs · Italian
An Italian and California list with named glass pours from $9.50 to $12 and bottles up to $325. Order the $10 Badia al Colle Chianti, or the $12 Banfi Chianti Classico with the Gnocchi Bolognese, and check the vintage when the bottle arrives since the list says vintages can change. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Old Colorado City · Colorado Springs · Tapas
A Spanish-leaning list in Old Colorado City with 22 glass/bottle pairs from 9/32 to 14/52, plus a bottle-only reserve group. Start with the 9/32 Lomas del Marques Rioja Tempranillo, or Wine Wednesday's 20% off bottles if the table is sharing. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups; confirm current deals before you go.
Seaport · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's is a reliable date-night or business-dinner destination in the Seaport, and the wine program is functional enough to get the job done — but markup at this category of steakhouse tends to run steep, and the list probably isn't going to surprise you. If you're here for the Prime ribeye, order a glass of whatever Cab is open and don't overthink it; if you're here specifically to drink well, we'd want to see the actual list before making promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's Columbus is a reliable steakhouse wine experience — well-managed, California-forward, and backed by actual staff expertise. Just know that you're paying steakhouse markups in a steakhouse setting, and the list isn't going to take you anywhere unexpected. If you want a great bottle with a great steak and don't need the wine to steal the show, this works.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Point · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Set your wine budget before opening the list. Greenwing Cabernet at $18 a glass or $72 a bottle is a straightforward red option. This is an unrated menu guide; it does not assess service, storage or glassware.
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