Classic Steakhouse Wine List Without the Surprises
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed March 2, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Jeff Ruby'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 at Jeff Ruby's reads like steakhouse central casting: big Napa Cabs, a few Super Tuscans, some token white Burgundy. It's the kind of list designed not to offend anyone at a corporate dinner, which means it also won't surprise anyone who's been to more than three steakhouses.
We're looking at a Napa and Bordeaux-heavy lineup with the usual suspects—think Silver Oak, Caymus, Jordan—plus a predictable Italian section that leans Tuscan. There's minimal exploration of emerging regions or smaller producers. The list does what it's supposed to: pair with ribeyes and make expense accounts happy. But if you're hunting for something beyond the classics, you'll leave disappointed. A few California cult cabs sit at the top end, but most of the list lives in safe, recognizable territory.
The glass program sticks to the hits: a Sonoma Chardonnay, a Willamette Pinot, a Napa Cab. Probably five to seven options total, rotated infrequently. Nothing wrong with the selections per se, but nothing exciting either. If you're dining solo and want to explore, you'll need to commit to a bottle or resign yourself to the usual suspects.
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages — $48
Light, bright, cuts through butter-heavy sides without competing with the beef—and half the price of their Pinot Noirs
Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese
This Venetian ripasso brings dried cherry and spice that most people skip for Chianti, but it's got the structure for a bone-in strip
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Marked up to $180+ for a bottle you can find at Total Wine for $85—the markup here is pure name recognition tax
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel + Bone-In Ribeye
The brambly fruit and black pepper spice of Ridge's old-vine Zin mirrors the char on a well-crusted ribeye without overwhelming the meat
The Bottom Line
Jeff Ruby's delivers exactly what you expect from an upscale steakhouse wine list—no more, no less. If you know your way around Napa and don't mind the markup, you'll be fine. Just don't expect any adventure.
· Nashville · Restaurant
The Palm Nashville's wine list is six bottles long and somehow more interesting than lists ten times its size at comparable restaurants. The Sancerre alone is worth the visit if it's still priced at $23. Just know what you're walking into: this is a focused, opinionated micro-list, not a deep cellar — and by-the-glass options remain a mystery until you ask.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Nashville · Nashville · Steakhouse
STK Nashville is a nightclub that serves steaks and has a wine list to match the energy — loud, familiar, and not particularly interested in your education. Come for the scene, order the bottle that sounds good to you, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Nashville · American Grille
Del Frisco's Grille Nashville is coasting hard on brand recognition with a wine list that a decent gastropub would be embarrassed by. Swing by for happy hour, grab a $10 pour, and don't expect anyone to help you think about what you're drinking.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · American, French
Gannons is a reliable, well-curated wine destination dressed in hotel restaurant clothing — the sommelier team knows the list, the glass pour selection is strong, and the Italian and French highlights give it more personality than the Napa-heavy surface suggests. The markups lean steep, but the execution earns its Wine Spectator badge. We'd send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West End · Nashville · Seafood
Halls Catch is the right call for a Nashville seafood dinner when you want a wine list that won't embarrass you — just don't come looking for adventure outside the California zip codes. Send a friend here if they love Napa and know what they're ordering; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Hoschton · Steakhouse
Jacks is a genuinely fun neighborhood hang with solid food, but the wine program doesn't match the ambition of the kitchen. If wine is your thing, call ahead or bring your own if corkage is an option — otherwise, lean into the cocktails and enjoy the patio. We'd love to revisit this rating if they ever put some real thought into the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Point · Atlanta · Steakhouse
Malone's earns its loyal following on the strength of its pork chops and tenderloin, not its wine list. If wine matters to your meal, you may want to call ahead and ask what's available — or just lean into a cocktail and let the steak do the heavy lifting. This one's a food-first destination.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Acworth · Steakhouse
AG Steakhouse earns its reputation as a go-to for celebrations and big nights out on Lake Acworth — but the wine program appears to be in service of the experience rather than a destination in itself. If you're splurging on the filet or the Oscar-style halibut, budget accordingly for the bottle too, and don't expect the list to surprise you. A solid place to drink wine; not a reason to come specifically for wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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