New Hampshire's Best Steakhouse Brings Napa Firepower
Downtown · Manchester · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 17, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Hanover Street Chophouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Hanover Street Chophouse reads exactly how you'd expect a serious Manchester steakhouse to read — heavy on California, anchored by recognizable names, and priced for people expensing dinner. It's not trying to surprise you, and it doesn't.
The list runs 150 to 300 bottles deep with a clear lean toward Napa Cabernet and Bordeaux, which makes sense when your menu tops out at a $78 steak. You'll find the usual suspects — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap — all present and accounted for. Burgundy makes an appearance but feels like an afterthought, and if you're hoping for anything outside France or California, you're mostly out of luck. The list is coherent and well-matched to the food, but it's not building any adventurous instincts.
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 20 options, which is respectable for a steakhouse of this size. Expect the standard Cab-Chard-Pinot triumvirate to dominate pours, with little rotation or creative additions. It does the job, but don't expect to be surprised.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $50
Jordan is a legit Alexander Valley Cab that consistently drinks above its price point — if it's anywhere near the lower end of the list's range, it's the smart move before you start climbing toward the Caymus premium.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis
Artemis gets overlooked because it doesn't have the Caymus name recognition, but this is serious Napa Cab from one of the valley's most storied producers. Most tables walk right past it, which is a mistake.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere and marked up everywhere — restaurants know it sells on name alone, and they price accordingly. You're paying for the label recognition here, not for anything you can't get better elsewhere on this same list.
Duckhorn Merlot + Filet Mignon
Duckhorn's Merlot has the structure to hold up to a filet without overwhelming it the way a big Cab might — you get the fruit and the grip without losing the subtle character of the cut.
The Bottom Line
Hanover Street Chophouse is doing exactly what it's supposed to do — giving you a dependable, California-heavy wine list in a proper steakhouse setting. It's not cheap and it's not adventurous, but if you want a solid Napa Cab with your steak in Manchester, this is your spot.
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
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Basic Stemmed
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Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
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Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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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