Georgetown's French neobistro punching above its weight
Georgetown · Washington · French · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Lutèce’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Lutèce puts French wine at the center of its Georgetown restaurant. Advanced Sommelier Chris Ray leads a program the restaurant describes as focused on organic, biodynamic and sustainably farmed producers. The posted menus have enough range to make a budget useful: Loire bubbles on the drinks list, Southern Rhône bottles below $100, and Champagne that asks for a much bigger commitment. Tell the team what you want to spend before opening the bottle list.
France drives the list, with Chris Ray overseeing a cellar the restaurant describes as roughly 650 bottles. That is a cellar figure, not a count of distinct labels. The posted list gives you a useful Southern Rhône ladder: Domaine Les Aphillantes “Plan de Dieu - Les Galets” 2022 at $64 a bottle, Gour de Chaule “Tradition” Gigondas 2022 at $125, and Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 at $160. Champagne has a much higher ceiling: Pierre Péters “Les Chétillons” 2018 is listed at $600. Pick your budget before the geography lesson. The restaurant warns that its online menus can differ from what is available in the dining room.
The separate drinks menu lists 13 wines across bubbles, white, orange, rosé and red, with posted prices from $15 to $35. France does most of the work, but Granville “Basalt” Chardonnay 2023 from Oregon and Wonderwork “Big Orange” 2025 from California make appearances. For a French white, Sophie Schaal Pinot Gris 2025 is listed at $16; Domaine des Coltabards Sancerre 2025 is $23. Ask about the special wines already open—the menu explicitly invites that conversation. Confirm the pour size, current price and availability before ordering.
Domaine Les Aphillantes “Plan de Dieu - Les Galets” Côtes du Rhône 2022 — $64/bottle
The posted list puts this Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre blend at $64, well below the $125–$130 Gigondas bottles alongside it. Start here if you want a Southern Rhône red without a three-figure bill; confirm the vintage and price when ordering. The posted dinner menu also lists a 20% service charge on every check.
Gaspard “Bulles” Brut Touraine Rosé NV
Pineau d’Aunis bubbles give you a Loire detour from Champagne. The drinks menu lists this at $17, alongside a $35 Champagne option. Ask about the current pour and serving size; this is the less expensive sparkling choice to investigate.
Pierre Péters “Les Chétillons” Champagne 2018 — if you are watching the budget
At $600 on the posted bottle list, this is a deliberate splurge. If Champagne is the opener rather than the main event, ask Chris for a less expensive bottle before committing.
Domaine des Coltabards Sancerre 2025 + Shigoku oysters
Our suggested starting point: the Sancerre listed on the drinks menu with the oysters listed on the dinner menu. Sauvignon Blanc is a sensible direction for oysters; ask the team whether this bottle is the right match for the day’s preparation. This is a pairing suggestion, not a tasted combination, and both menus can change.
The Bottom Line
Lutèce is a strong place to explore French wine with a firm budget in mind. The posted list runs from a $64 Southern Rhône red to $600 Champagne, so tell Chris Ray what you want to spend and let that guide the conversation. Confirm prices and availability when you book or arrive.
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