Old Portland Charm With a Serious Wine Spine
Monument Square · Portland · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 16, 2026
RagingWine reviewed David's Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into David's at Monument Square, you get the immediate sense this place has been doing things right for a long time. The wine list reflects that same quiet confidence — no gimmicks, no trendy natural wine posturing, just a thoughtful selection that covers serious ground across France, Germany, and California. It's not flashy, but it earns your attention.
The list leans heavily Old World with good reason — there's Gonet Medeville Premier Cru Champagne for bubbles lovers who know their grower producers, Dr. Thanisch Riesling out of the Mosel for anyone who understands that Germany is wildly underrated at the dinner table, and Louis Latour Marsannay anchoring the Burgundy side without requiring a second mortgage. California shows up with Ramey Chardonnay from Russian River Valley, which is about as serious as domestic Chardonnay gets. The Famille Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape rounds out the Rhone corner nicely, and the inclusion of Chateau Rieussec Sauternes signals that someone here actually thought about a complete meal from start to finish. Gaps exist — South America and natural wine are essentially absent — but for a long-standing New American spot, this list punches above its weight.
By-the-glass specifics are harder to pin down from the current list, but the presence of approachable bottles like the Roshambo Pinot Noir and EOS Estate Merlot suggests the glass program leans accessible and crowd-friendly. We'd love to see the Riesling or Marsannay make it to the by-the-glass lineup — that would elevate the whole program considerably.
EOS Estate Merlot, Paso Robles — $10.50
At a 13% markup over retail, this is practically cost pricing. Paso Robles Merlot at this price point in a full-service restaurant is almost unheard of — order a second glass and don't feel weird about it.
Dr. Thanisch Riesling, Mosel
Most people at David's are reaching for the Chardonnay or the Pinot, and they're leaving this Mosel Riesling completely alone. That's a mistake. Thanisch is a historic estate and this wine will cut through any richness on the plate with surgical precision — especially against anything cream-based.
Chateau Rieussec Sauternes
We love that it's on the list — it shows real intention. But unless you're splitting a half-bottle specifically for dessert, the price-to-occasion ratio rarely works out at a weeknight dinner in Portland. Save it for a special moment and don't impulse order it.
Ramey Chardonnay, Russian River Valley + Open Faced Lobster Ravioli
Russian River Chardonnay has the weight and texture to stand up to rich lobster and pasta without steamrolling it. Ramey specifically keeps the oak restrained enough that the wine works with the dish rather than competing against it.
The Bottom Line
David's is the kind of place where the wine list quietly overdelivers — serious producers, genuinely fair markups, and a range that respects the food it's meant to accompany. If you're eating in Portland and want a bottle that actually matches the ambition of the kitchen, this is a reliable bet.
East End · Portland · Sushi / Japanese
Mr. Tuna isn't a wine destination — it's a great sushi spot that happens to have two sensible, well-chosen bottles and a local can that makes the experience feel intentional. Come for the hand rolls, drink the Vinho Verde, and don't overthink it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Bayside · Portland · Seafood
A fast-casual raw bar with a wine list that punches well above its category — the French-only focus is a feature, not a limitation. If you're eating oysters in Portland, this is where you want to be drinking.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Deer Isle · Portland · Seafood Fine Dining
Aragosta is the rare case where the wine program matches the remoteness of the drive — you come all the way out here and find a 3,475-bottle cellar waiting for you. Yes, send your friends. Send everyone.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Old Port · Portland · Seafood, American
Scales is playing a different game than the tourist-trap seafood spots on either side of it — the wine list is genuinely Old World-focused and well-matched to the food, which is rare and worth noting. If you're eating clams and mussels on the Portland waterfront, this is where you want to be doing it with a glass in hand.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Arts District · Portland · Seafood, Californian, Contemporary Mexican
Regards isn't trying to be a wine bar, but whoever built this list understands exactly what the food needs and went hunting for it. If you're in Portland and want a bottle that actually earns its place on the table, this is the move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West End · Portland · French and Spanish
Chaval is punching above its weight class for a neighborhood brasserie in Portland — the list is small but curated by someone who actually cares, with pricing that doesn't punish curiosity. If you're open to going off the beaten path (xarel-lo, South African grenache blanc), this is a genuinely rewarding room to drink in.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· McKinney · New American
Gather isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's okay — but the $63 Syrah by the glass and the static, California-heavy list suggest the program hasn't been pushed in a while. Stick to the mid-tier pours, order the Chianti, and enjoy it for what it is: a casual neighborhood spot where the wine won't derail the evening.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fort Wayne · New American
Copper Spoon proves you don't need a 200-bottle binder to run a thoughtful wine program — you just need to care about what you put on the list. For Fort Wayne, this is genuinely one of the better places to order a bottle without second-guessing yourself.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Mathews isn't a destination wine list, but it's honest, fairly priced, and more thoughtful than it looks at first glance. Send a friend here if they want a good glass without a lecture.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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