California Royalty Meets Ohio Steakhouse Royalty
Montgomery · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 9, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Jeff Ruby's Carlo & Johnny’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Carlo & Johnny lands with the weight of a leather-bound novel — 400 to 600 bottles deep, anchored hard in California, France, and Italy. This is a steakhouse that takes its wine program seriously enough to earn Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence every year since 2015, and the list reflects that commitment. Walk in expecting a greatest-hits album from Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany — and that's not a knock.
The California section reads like a who's-who of the premium Cab world: Caymus, Silver Oak, Far Niente, Jordan, Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap — if it made waves in Napa, it's probably here. France gets serious representation too, with Louis Jadot holding down Burgundy and Chateau Margaux anchoring the Bordeaux prestige tier. Italy shows up strong with Gaja Barbaresco and Antinori Tignanello — two bottles that remind you the list isn't just chasing American palates. The gaps are real though: no obvious deep dive into Rhône, Spain, or anything remotely adventurous, so if you're hunting for a funky Jura or a skin-contact anything, look elsewhere.
With 20 to 35 pours available by the glass, this is a genuinely strong BTG program for a steakhouse in suburban Ohio — most places in this zip code give you six options and call it a day. Expect the usual suspects to rotate through, anchored by the big Napa Cabs that are the heart of this list. No confirmed rotation program, but the volume of options means there's almost always something worth ordering without committing to a full bottle.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $80
Jordan consistently overdelivers at its price point — elegant, food-friendly, and a fraction of what the cult Napa names on this list command. Next to a $300 Far Niente or an Opus One, it's the quiet hero of the Cab section.
Gaja Barbaresco
Most tables at a steakhouse like this go straight for the Napa Cab block without looking up. But Gaja's Barbaresco — Nebbiolo at its most serious and complex — is genuinely one of the great red wines in the world and a stunning match for beef. Most diners skip it because they don't recognize the name. That's your opportunity.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy bottle, and Carlo & Johnny charges accordingly. At a steakhouse markup on top of an already premium retail price, you're paying heavily for the name on the label. The wine is good — it's just not $400-plus-in-a-restaurant good when Jordan or Chateau Montelena exist on the same list.
Antinori Tignanello + Dry-aged ribeye
Tignanello's blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc brings just enough Old World acidity and structure to cut through the fat of a dry-aged ribeye without overwhelming the beef's depth. It's the rare bottle that straddles both worlds — and it makes a great conversation starter at the table.
The Bottom Line
Carlo & Johnny is the kind of steakhouse wine list that earns its Wine Spectator hardware — deep in the right regions, loaded with recognizable names, and serious enough to match the white tablecloths and dry-aged beef. The markups are steakhouse-standard steep and there's no sommelier to guide you through it, but if you know what you're looking for, there are real rewards here.
· Montgomery · New American
La Jolla isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's putting in more effort than most restaurants in Montgomery. Fair prices, a surprising Loire pick hiding in plain sight, and enough glass options to keep the table happy all night.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Alley Entertainment District · Montgomery · Upscale American, Contemporary Southern
Central is the kind of place where the wine list supports the meal without stealing the spotlight — which is exactly what a restaurant like this needs. Send your friends here for dinner; just steer them toward the Rhône white or the Pinot Gris and away from the Rombauer markup.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hampstead · Montgomery · Casual American bar food and café fare
The Tipping Point is a solid neighborhood spot that happens to have wine, not a wine destination that also serves food — and that's okay. If you're here for the patio, the burgers, or a casual weeknight out, grab the rosé or the Malbec and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Montgomery · Montgomery · Steakhouse / Wine-Focused American
Cork & Cleaver is quietly one of the better wine lists in Montgomery — international range, fair pricing, and actual producer curation hiding behind a Southern gastropub front door. Send your wine-curious friends here and tell them to skip the Prisoner.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Boulevard / Dalraida · Montgomery · Italian
This is a wine program by committee, for volume, not for pleasure. If someone at your table insists on wine, grab a glass while you're waiting to be seated and enjoy the half-price benefit — but don't plan your evening around what's in the glass.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
East Boulevard · Montgomery · Steakhouse
Outback Montgomery's wine program is a formality, not a feature — it checks the box without breaking a sweat or a single new grape variety. If wine matters to you tonight, order the Riesling, keep expectations grounded, and save the serious bottle for a restaurant that actually cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
National Park Corridor / Parkway · Gatlinburg · American, Steakhouse
The Park Grill is a reliable dinner stop if you're winding down after a day in the Smokies and want a solid glass of California wine with your steak — just don't expect the list to reward curiosity or spare your wallet. Send your friends here for the food and the vibe; tell them to drink the Sonoma-Cutrer and not overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Stowe Village · Stowe · American, Steakhouse
Harrison's is the kind of reliable neighborhood anchor that Stowe regulars and ski-weekend visitors can count on — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't let you down either. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink fine; just don't send them expecting a deep dive.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Denver · Denver · American, Steakhouse
Range is a confident, well-kept steakhouse list that won't surprise you but absolutely won't let you down — especially if California Cabs are your language. Just come in with your eyes open on pricing, and let Dan steer you toward the Jordan.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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
