Mattison's Forty-One

The wine list at Mattison's Forty-One reads like a greatest hits compilation from a resort gift shop—Rombauer, Santa Margherita, Relax Riesling. It's the kind of list designed not to offend anyone, which means it won't thrill anyone either. Eighteen by-the-glass pours suggest they're trying, but the selections lean heavily toward household names at prices that make you wince.

California dominates with predictable players like ZD Wines and Seghisio alongside the ubiquitous Rombauer Chardonnay that every expense-account diner orders. Italy shows up via the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio route—safe, crisp, utterly forgettable. There's a nod to Germany with Relax Riesling and likely some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc lurking in there, but nothing suggests anyone's diving deep into lesser-known regions or challenging their guests. The list feels like it was assembled from a corporate distributor's top 50 and left untouched for years.

Eighteen glass pours sounds promising until you realize half are probably the same Caymus/Kendall-Jackson/Joel Gott lineup you'd find at any Cheesecake Factory. The Seghisio Chardonnay is a legitimate bright spot—actual winemaker credibility from Sonoma—but it's swimming in a sea of mall-brand mediocrity. That $2 off happy hour pricing 4-6PM Monday through Saturday is the real play here if you're drinking by the glass.