A Steakhouse Wine List That Actually Tries
Inman Park · Atlanta · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 24, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Kevin Rathbun Steak’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Kevin Rathbun Steak reads like a steakhouse that did its homework — there's real thought here, not just the usual Cabs-and-Chards safety net. You get sparkling, rosé, white, red, and a dedicated reserve-by-the-glass section, which at least signals someone cared enough to organize this thing. It won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you either.
The list leans heavily on the by-the-glass program — 25 options spanning Champagne to Chablis to Napa Cab — which is genuinely impressive for a steakhouse format. There are some legitimately interesting choices tucked in: a Chateau Le Puy Bordeaux blend, a Lemelson Riesling from the Willamette, and a Sancerre from Domaine Des Grosses Pierres give the list some personality beyond the obvious. The Italian contingent is small but decent — De Vinosalvo Levitas Sangiovese 2018 and the Fattoria di Sammontana Chianti keep things honest on that front. Where it falls short is depth: if you want to go deep on Burgundy, Barolo, or explore anything truly off the beaten path, this list hits a wall fast.
Twenty-five by-the-glass options is a lot, and the range from $12 to $80 a glass means there's something for the budget-conscious table and the celebratory splurge alike. The reserve section — anchored by the Shafer Hillside Select 2018 at the high end — gives the program a premium tier that most steakhouses handle with a bottle list instead. That said, without a clear rotation cadence, there's a real risk some of these pours are sitting longer than they should.
Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Chardonnay Chablis 2023 — $18
Long-Depaquit is a legitimate Chablis producer with actual terroir behind it — not some branded negociant juice. If the pour price is anywhere near the low end of their glass range, this is the smartest white on the list for the money.
Chateau Le Puy Bordeaux Blend Cotes de Bordeaux 2023
Le Puy is a biodynamic Bordeaux estate with a cult following in Europe and a low profile stateside — most people at this table will order the Sequoia Grove instead, which is fine, but they're leaving the interesting bottle behind. This is the pick for anyone who wants something with actual story.
Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
It's a perfectly competent Napa Cab, but it's also one of the most over-placed bottles in the American steakhouse circuit. You're paying a steakhouse premium for a wine you can find at your local wine shop for a fraction of the price — skip it and put that money toward the Le Puy.
Domaine Des Grosses Pierres Sauvignon Blanc Sancerre 2024 + Bone-In Filet
A leaner cut like the filet doesn't need a big tannic red to match it — the Sancerre's bright acidity and minerality cut through the fat and let the beef speak. It's the contrarian move that actually works.
The Bottom Line
Kevin Rathbun Steak's wine program is better than the average Atlanta steakhouse — thoughtful by-the-glass selection, a few genuinely interesting bottles in the mix — but the markups are stiff and the list doesn't have the depth to earn a destination wine reputation. Send a friend here for a solid steak and a decent glass; just don't expect to geek out.
· Atlanta · Italian bakery and cafe
Rosetta Bakery has no business having a wine list this considered. Eight labels, nearly all pourable by the glass, priced so fairly it almost seems like a mistake — and anchored by producers like Monchiero Carbone and Antica Fratta that would look at home on a dedicated wine bar menu. If you're nearby and want a glass of something genuinely Italian and genuinely good without paying downtown wine bar prices, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Smyrna · Atlanta · New American
Muss & Turner's isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — and that honesty is oddly refreshing. If you're in Smyrna on a Tuesday, the reported wine-focused night is reason enough to show up early, grab a seat, and let the shrimp and grits do the heavy lifting while you figure out what's on the list.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
· Atlanta · New American
Soho's wine list is built for people who already know what they like — California reds, recognizable labels, no curveballs. The markup is real (Faust at $132/bottle and Moët at $138 are tough to justify), but the by-the-glass depth gives you flexibility to stay in a reasonable range. If you're here for the food and want a no-drama pour, you'll find it — just don't come expecting discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · French
St. John's is running a lean, all-by-the-glass program that's more considered than it looks at first glance — a Vouvray, a Barolo, and an aged Languedoc Syrah on a 14-bottle list isn't an accident. The lack of bottle service is a real limitation for a French dinner, but if you're grazing through courses and glasses, the pricing stays honest. Worth a visit if you want something beyond the usual steakhouse pour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Buckhead · Atlanta · French-American
St. John has the bones of a place worth drinking well at — a thoughtful regional spread, a dining room that takes itself seriously, and a menu built for wine-friendly food. But without confirmed list details or pricing, we can't promise the experience lives up to the setup. Go for the Welsh Rarebit and the mood, and ask your server what they're excited about on the list — that answer alone will tell you what kind of night you're in for.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Southern breakfast and lunch
Bantam + Biddy is a perfectly decent brunch spot that simply has no interest in wine — and that's fine, but you should know going in. If your table is splitting Mimosas and splitting biscuits, great. If you want an actual glass of wine with your eggs, eat somewhere else.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· 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.