Monteleone's Ristorante Italiano
Classic Italian bones, dependable wine to match
Northeast · El Paso · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 15, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Monteleone's arrives with the confidence of a place that's been doing this a long time — and the wine list reflects that same energy. It's Italy top to bottom, no detours, no apologies. That's fine. In El Paso, a focused Italian list with real Tuscan names on it is already punching above its weight class.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans heavily on Tuscany and Piedmont, which is exactly where it should lean. You'll find Antinori's Tignanello here, which is a legitimate signal that someone made intentional choices. Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio also appear — both reliable crowd-pleasers that anchor the accessible end of the list. The Veneto and Sicily get some representation, giving the list breadth without getting weird. What's missing is any real adventurousness — no skin-contact wines, no southern Italian deep cuts, nothing from Campania or Friuli to reward the curious drinker.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 8-12 options, which is solid for a neighborhood Italian spot. Expect the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio to make an appearance here alongside a Chianti-adjacent red. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority — this reads more like a fixed list that gets refreshed when bottles run out, not a program someone is actively curating.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva — null
Pricing data wasn't available, but Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva is the smart order at a place like this — widely available retail around $20-25, so even with a restaurant markup it tends to stay in a reasonable zone. It's the kind of wine that works across the whole menu and rarely disappoints.
Antinori Tignanello
Most tables here are going to order the Chianti or the Pinot Grigio and call it a night. Tignanello is a Super Tuscan that belongs in a different conversation entirely — Sangiovese-forward with Cabernet in the blend, aged in barriques, one of the benchmark bottles of modern Italian wine. If you're splitting a special occasion bottle, this is the one to reach for.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita is the Pinot Grigio that taught a generation of diners to drink Pinot Grigio, and that's not entirely a compliment. At restaurant prices it's almost always overpriced relative to what's in the glass — a fine, clean, inoffensive white that costs a lot for its pedigree. You can do better for the money.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva + Osso buco
Braised veal shank wants a wine with structure and acid to cut through the richness, and Sangiovese-based Chianti Classico Riserva is essentially engineered for this. The earthy, cherry-forward character of the Ruffino locks in with the slow-cooked meat and gremolata without stepping on anything.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Monteleone's is the kind of Italian restaurant El Paso is lucky to have — the wine list isn't going to win any awards, but it's thoughtful enough to elevate dinner without requiring a research project. Go for the Tignanello if you're celebrating, default to the Chianti if you're not, and skip the Santa Margherita.
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