Old-School Steakhouse, Wine List to Match
French Quarter · New Orleans · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list reads like every high-end steakhouse playbook: heavy Napa Cabs, token Bordeaux section, a few big-name Burgundies. It's designed to match the room—classic, expensive, safe. Nothing here will surprise you, but nothing will embarrass you either.
The list leans predictably into California Cabernet—Silver Oak, Caymus, Jordan—alongside trophy Bordeaux like Pichon-Longueville and Lynch-Bages. There's a respectable Burgundy section with Jadot and Louis Latour holdings, plus a token Italian presence (Antinori, Gaja). The problem isn't what's here, it's what's missing: no interesting Rhône Valley depth, minimal Oregon or Washington representation, and almost nothing adventurous. For a restaurant charging $140+ per entrée, the wine program plays it disappointingly safe.
The glass pour lineup likely mirrors the bottle list philosophy—recognizable names at premium prices. Expect a Jordan Cabernet around $22, maybe a Sonoma-Coast Chardonnay in the high teens, and a Malbec to appease the "something different" crowd. Rotation appears minimal—these aren't weekly discoveries, they're set-it-and-forget-it anchors.
Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon — $85
Delivers serious Napa character without the $200 ego trip—dark fruit, structure, and polish that'll stand up to that Porterhouse
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge
If they stock it, this Provence red is the sleeper—earthy Mourvèdre that cuts through steak fat better than another Napa bruiser
Caymus Special Selection
At likely $350+, you're paying for the name and the purple velvet bottle bag—drink the Crossbarn and pocket $250
Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac + Chateaubriand (20 oz. tenderloin)
Classic French beef meets classic Bordeaux—the wine's cassis and cedar frame the tenderloin's richness without overwhelming it
The Bottom Line
It's a solid, professional wine program that does exactly what a New Orleans steakhouse should do—pair expensive bottles with expensive beef. Just don't expect adventure or value. Come here when someone else is paying.
· New Orleans · Restaurant
Emeril's wine list punches above its size with smart French selections and a genuine commitment to aged bottles — but the markup is real and the by-the-glass story is unclear. Go in knowing what you want and you'll drink well; go in blind and your wallet may feel the consequences.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
New Orleans · New Orleans · American, Steakhouse
Chemin a La Mer is a solid steakhouse wine list wearing a French accent — dependable, occasionally exciting, and priced for the occasion rather than the adventurous drinker. If you're here for the river views and a bone-in cut, the wine list will take care of you without surprises.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Bywater · New Orleans · American, Creole
The Country Club is a genuinely wild New Orleans experience that happens to have a respectable, fairly priced wine list attached — and that's more than most places with a pool and a clothing policy can say. Send a friend here for the vibe, tell them to order the Riesling with the shrimp and grits, and let the afternoon take care of itself.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
French Quarter · New Orleans · Creole, French
Tableau is a reliable, well-curated stop for serious wine drinkers who also want one of the better dining rooms in the French Quarter. The list earns its Wine Spectator nod — just keep an eye on which bottles you're reaching for if the check matters.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
French Quarter / Riverfront · New Orleans · Creole
Miss River earns its Wine Spectator nod — this is a genuinely thoughtful list tucked inside a hotel restaurant, with a real sommelier and real producers backing it up. Markup keeps it from being a destination for the wine alone, but paired with the food, it's one of the better all-in dining experiences on the river.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Warehouse District · New Orleans · Regional
Meril is a reliable wine destination in a city that doesn't always take its wine lists seriously — with a real sommelier, a credible California-France selection, and fair pricing, it earns its Award of Excellence the honest way. Send a friend here, tell them to look past the obvious Napa picks, and let Lauren Briley's list do the rest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Franklin · Steakhouse
Char is a genuinely enjoyable steakhouse with a wine list that does the job without doing much more. The room earns its keep; the wine program is still a passenger rather than a co-pilot. If you're coming here for the Prime beef and the atmosphere, you'll eat well — just don't expect the list to take you anywhere the food isn't already going. Worth a visit, but bring your own expectations in check at the wine menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· San Diego · Steakhouse
The Grove Steakhouse is a solid pick if you're in a celebratory mood and want serious Champagne options with your cut of beef — the sparkling program alone is worth a look. The rest of the list doesn't take many risks, and the markups on recognizable labels are exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse at a casino property. Go in with eyes open, steer toward the value picks, and you'll have a good night.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fresno · Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Fresno is a reliable landing pad if someone else is picking the restaurant and wine takes a back seat to a great center-cut filet. The wine program isn't adventurous and markups at this tier tend to sting, but the service is polished and the experience is consistent. If wine is the reason you're going out, look elsewhere — but if it's the steak and wine is just along for the ride, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
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.
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