Corporate Steakhouse Wine Safety in the Tropics
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Morton's The Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Morton's delivers exactly what you'd expect from a national steakhouse chain: a leather-bound wine book filled with recognizable labels and prices that make you wince. The list reads like a greatest hits compilation designed to pair with expense accounts, not adventurous drinking.
The selection leans heavily on California Cabs and familiar Napa names—think Silver Oak, Caymus, and Jordan dominating the red side. You'll find token representation from France (mostly Bordeaux) and Italy, but this isn't where you come for Austrian Grüner or obscure Rhône producers. The list prioritizes brand recognition over discovery, which makes sense for a room full of business dinners. Expect solid producers marked up to steakhouse stratosphere—we're talking 3.5-4x retail on most bottles.
The by-the-glass program sticks to safe territory: a Sonoma Chardonnay, a Washington Cab, maybe a Malbec for the adventurous. Pours run $14-22 and rotate about as often as the menu (rarely). You won't find natural wine or skin-contact experiments here—this is Kendall-Jackson and La Crema country, reliable but uninspiring.
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon — $58
Still overpriced at nearly 3x retail, but it's a workhorse Cab that won't embarrass you with the ribeye—and it's one of the few bottles under $60 that isn't total plonk
Trimbach Riesling
If it's on the list, grab it—Alsatian Riesling cuts through butter-soaked lobster tail better than any $80 Napa Chard, and the markup is slightly less offensive on white Burgundy alternatives
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
At $185+ per bottle, you're paying for the name on what's become a fruit-bomb shadow of its former self—find better Napa for half the price elsewhere
Duckhorn Merlot + Filet Mignon with Bearnaise
The supple tannins and dark cherry fruit play nicely with butter-rich sauce without overwhelming the tender cut—classic pairing executed competently
The Bottom Line
Morton's is the wine list equivalent of airport WiFi: functional, overpriced, and utterly predictable. You won't drink badly, but you'll pay handsomely for the privilege of playing it safe.
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Mediterranean
The Terrace Grill isn't where you go to chase down rare bottles or get your mind blown by an unexpected producer — it's where you go to drink well without overthinking it. For waterfront Mediterranean dining in Fort Lauderdale, that's a perfectly respectable offer.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian, Floridian
La Fuga earns its Wine Spectator hardware with a focused Italian-California list that does right by the food — just be prepared for steep markups on the prestige bottles. Send a friend here when they want serious Italian wine with their pasta and a view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian
Anthony's Runway 84 is a Fort Lauderdale institution that knows its audience and delivers exactly what it promises: big Napa names, old-school Italian comfort, and no surprises. Wine-forward diners may find the list a little safe, but the Italian highlights and the fresh Wine Spectator Award of Excellence signal that someone here is paying attention — even if the list isn't ready to take risks.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ft. Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · Steak House
Steak 954 is a legitimately strong wine program for a beach hotel steakhouse — deep on the producers that matter, proper storage, and a by-the-glass count that punches above its weight. Markups are what they are at this address, but if you pick smart, this is a great place to drink wine with a serious piece of beef.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · French, Japanese
MAASS is the real thing — a sommelier-driven program with genuine depth, proper glassware, and staff that actually knows what's in the cellar. Markups run steep at the top end, but this is a Best of Award of Excellence list for a reason, and it earns every bit of the credential.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · American, Farm to Table
Daniel's is a legitimate Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence earner — the list is deep, the heavy hitters are all here, and the room is built for serious wine drinking. The markups sting and there's no sommelier pushing you toward discovery, but if you know what you're looking for, this is one of Fort Lauderdale's best bottles-over-dinner experiences.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Hal's delivers a competent, Napa-forward bottle list that does exactly what a steakhouse wine program is supposed to do — just without much surprise or value mercy. Send a friend here if they want a reliable big-red experience; warn them to leave the credit card breathing room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Houston · Steakhouse
Perry's is a reliable steakhouse wine list — nothing that'll make you rethink your palate, but enough to drink well with red meat if you know where to look. The fortified and dessert wine section is genuinely worth your attention; the rest is competent but forgettable.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
New York Prime's wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — safe, recognizable, and priced for expense accounts. If you know what you want and don't mind paying for it, you'll be fine; just don't come looking for discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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