California and France, Surprisingly Far North
West Fargo · American, French · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed May 5, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Maxwells Restaurant & Bar’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into a wine-serious restaurant in West Fargo isn't something you expect, and Maxwells makes a point of proving you wrong. The list is focused and purposeful — California and France doing the heavy lifting, with a sommelier on staff who actually knows what he's talking about. Twelve-plus years holding a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence means this isn't a program someone threw together on a slow Tuesday.
The 150-250 bottle list leans hard into California Cabernet and French classics, which makes sense for a French-influenced American bistro trying to satisfy both the steak crowd and the duck confit devotees. You'll find heavy hitters like Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, and Stag's Leap representing Napa, while Louis Jadot anchors the Burgundy section with reliable French credibility. Chateau Ste. Michelle sneaks in a Pacific Northwest cameo, and Rombauer shows up for the Chardonnay loyalists. The list doesn't take a lot of risks, but what's here is well-chosen and coherent — not filler.
With 20-35 by-the-glass options priced between $10 and $18, there's enough to make a proper evening of it without committing to a full bottle. That range suggests real rotation rather than the usual four-wine afterthought. For a small city in North Dakota, that's genuinely impressive glass program territory.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $35–$50 (estimated bottle entry range)
Jordan punches above its price point consistently — structured, age-worthy California Cab that restaurants often overprice. At Maxwells' reported price range, it's the smart play for anyone who wants Napa quality without going full Silver Oak.
Louis Jadot Burgundy
Most people at a steakhouse-adjacent menu will tunnel vision toward California Cab, but the Louis Jadot selections are exactly what you want with the duck confit. Jadot's reliability across its Burgundy lineup means you're getting honest Pinot Noir at a fair price while everyone else is ordering the obvious stuff.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Rombauer is fine, but it's everywhere, it's heavily marketed, and it tends to carry a premium that outpaces what's in the glass. At a restaurant with real French options on the list, ordering Rombauer feels like driving past a great local spot to eat at a chain.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Filet Mignon
Stag's Leap built its reputation on elegant, restrained California Cab — less bruising than Caymus, more refined than most at the price. That structure and dark fruit play exactly right against a properly cooked filet, where you want the wine to complement the beef, not steamroll it.
The Bottom Line
Maxwells is the kind of wine program that earns real respect in context — a thoughtfully stocked, sommelier-guided list in a city where 'wine program' often means a Merlot and a Pinot Grigio. If you're passing through West Fargo or lucky enough to live there, this is where you drink.
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