Bordeaux royalty hiding in Minneapolis
North Loop · Minneapolis · French · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Maison Margaux’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Maison Margaux lands with the same theatrical confidence as the room itself — all gilded brasserie energy upstairs and Paris catacombs brooding below. Flip to the wine section and you're staring at 300-500 bottles anchored by serious Bordeaux and California heavyweights. This is not a list that was assembled by someone ordering off a distributor's default sheet.
The backbone here is unmistakably Bordeaux and California Cab, and they've done both right. Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, and Lynch-Bages represent the Médoc with genuine depth, while the California side brings out the heavy artillery: Opus One, Dominus Estate, Ridge Monte Bello, and Stag's Leap Cask 23 all in one place is rare for a Minneapolis restaurant. Louis Jadot handles the Burgundy flank competently, though the list could push further into Côte de Nuits for a room this ambitious. A Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 2024 is the official stamp, but the list earns it on its own merits.
Twenty to thirty-five by-the-glass options is genuinely strong — that's not a token gesture, that's a real program. Prices run $12–$25, which is fair for the caliber of the room and the North Loop market. Jordan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon appearing by the glass is the kind of move that tells you someone is paying attention to what people actually want to drink.
Jordan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — $25
Jordan by the glass is a reliable overperformer — it drinks above its weight class, shows consistently, and getting it here without committing to a full bottle is the smart play for a table that can't agree on red vs. white.
Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people at this table are going to default to Opus One or Chateau Margaux for the story. Monte Bello is the nerd pick — one of California's most undersung benchmark Cabs, and it quietly outperforms its fame-to-price ratio every time.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and the markup at a room like this will reflect the brand recognition, not the juice. Nothing wrong with the wine, but in a list this deep, it's the safe choice that costs you the most for the least discovery.
Chateau Lynch-Bages + Seasonal pot-au-feu
Lynch-Bages brings enough Pauillac structure and dark fruit to stand up to a rich, slow-cooked French braise without steamrolling it. This is the kind of pairing that makes you feel like you figured something out.
The Bottom Line
Maison Margaux is the real deal — a room with theatrical ambition backed by a wine list that actually delivers on the promise, anchored by a sommelier who clearly built this thing with intention. If you're in Minneapolis and serious about Bordeaux or California Cab, you come here.
Downtown · Minneapolis · Brazilian churrascaria / Brazilian steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Minneapolis is a reliably fun night out if you're there for the meat spectacle — and you should be. The wine list is a supporting cast that knows its role: keep people happy, don't surprise anyone, move on. If wine is more than an afterthought for you, lower your expectations before you open the menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Loop / Warehouse District · Minneapolis · Modern Argentinian Steakhouse
Porzana punches above its class for a Minneapolis steakhouse — the Italian and Argentine selections show genuine curation, and the Fenocchio Barolo alone justifies a serious wine order. Just go in with eyes open on markups and skip the entry-level bottles unless you're pouring by the glass.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lowry Hill · Minneapolis · Steakhouse and Wood-Fired Pizza
Burch has the bones of a genuinely great wine program — knowledgeable staff, proper storage, and a list that respects the classics — but the pricing strategy on the mid-tier and entry-level bottles will test your patience. Go big or go home: the value-to-quality ratio only really clicks once you're spending $200+.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / North Loop · Minneapolis · New American / Contemporary American
112 Eatery's wine list is punching well above its weight for a Minneapolis neighborhood bistro, with a genuinely distinctive Old World focus and producers that belong on serious lists anywhere in the country. The markups sting on a few bottles, but the curation earns enough goodwill to keep us coming back.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Uptown · Minneapolis · French Bistro
Barbette is a wine list built by someone who actually drinks wine and wants you to as well — it's small, French, and surprisingly legit for a neighborhood bistro in Uptown. If you're a natural wine fan or just someone who wants good Beaujolais with steak frites, send your friends here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Loring Park · Minneapolis · New American
Cafe Lurcat is a reliable, well-staffed wine program in one of Minneapolis's prettiest dining rooms — just know you're paying a premium for the address and the ambiance. Ask the sommelier for help navigating the list and you'll drink well; go on autopilot and order the obvious Napa Cab and you'll leave having spent more than you should have.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Georgetown · Washington · French
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.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Paso Robles · French
Cépage is a destination restaurant in a destination wine region — the kind of place you plan a Saturday around, not somewhere you stumble into. The wine program appears honest to its terroir and purpose, though pricing at this caliber of operation rarely favors the guest. If you're already out on Highway 46 with a reservation in hand, you're likely going to have a very good time; just don't arrive expecting a sprawling global list or a killer value-hunting opportunity.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Weston · Weston · French
The Left Bank is the rare small-town wine program that genuinely surprises you — not by accident, but because someone with real taste built it. If you're driving through Vermont and need a reason to stop in Weston, this list is it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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