California Cab Country, Done By The Book
Freedom Drive / South Naperville · Naperville · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 2, 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 →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Morton's Naperville arrives looking exactly like you'd expect — thick, leather-bound, and organized like a corporate org chart. It signals serious intent without necessarily delivering serious depth. If you've been to any Morton's in the country, this list will feel familiar in a way that's either comforting or deflating depending on your mood.
Two hundred-plus labels sounds impressive until you notice that roughly half the real estate belongs to California Cabernet and Chardonnay, with Napa doing most of the heavy lifting. Caymus, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Rombauer, Cakebread — these are the greatest hits playlist of American steakhouse wine, and Morton's plays it on repeat. There's a respectable nod to Bordeaux and Burgundy with Louis Jadot making an appearance, and Champagne gets its moment with Moët & Chandon, but don't come here hunting for Rhône producers, grower Champagne, or anything south of the equator. This is a list built for a deal-closing dinner, not an adventure.
With 20 to 24 pours available by the glass, the BTG program is one of the stronger aspects of the list — you can actually build a full evening without committing to a bottle. Decoy by Duckhorn at $16 and Rombauer Chardonnay at $22 represent the range well, covering both the entry-level crowd and the guests who want something that sounds like a splurge. Rotation appears minimal, though — don't expect a seasonal surprise or a staff pick that changes week to week.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley — $165/bottle
At roughly 1.9x retail, this is the closest thing to a fair deal on the bottle list. Silver Oak Alexander Valley always skews more approachable and food-friendly than the Jordan-valley Napa version, and at a steakhouse with a New York strip in front of you, it genuinely earns its place. You're still spending real money, but at least you're not getting fleeced.
Louis Jadot Burgundy
Everyone at the table is ordering Cab, which means the Jadot Burgundy selections sit overlooked and under-ordered. If you want something that actually makes the kitchen work for its compliments — especially alongside the filet — a Jadot Pinot is doing more interesting things on your palate than the fourth Napa Cab of the evening. Ask what they have available; it's worth the conversation.
Rombauer Chardonnay Carneros
At $22 a glass, you're paying roughly $88 per bottle equivalent for a wine that retails for $40. Rombauer is a crowd-pleaser — big, buttery, and impossible to argue with — but this is the steepest glass-pour markup on the list and it's going to the most predictable wine in the program. Order it if you love it, but know exactly what you're paying for.
Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime New York Strip
Duckhorn Cab has enough structure and dark fruit to go toe-to-toe with a well-marbled New York strip without bullying the beef. It's a textbook steakhouse pairing done well — where Caymus can feel like a sugar rush next to a big cut of meat, Duckhorn keeps things grounded and lets the steak lead.
The Bottom Line
Morton's Naperville is a Reliable — it does what it promises, charges you handsomely for the privilege, and sends you home full and well-lubricated. If you're celebrating something and want a wine list that won't make anyone uncomfortable, this is your place; if you're chasing value or discovery, you're in the wrong room.
Downtown Naperville · Naperville · American pub / burgers
Jackson Avenue Pub is not a wine destination, but Wine Wednesdays at half-price make it a legitimately smart stop if you're already there for a burger and a game. Come for the beer, stay for the deal.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Freedom Commons / I-88 Corridor · Naperville · Seafood and Steakhouse
Hugo's Naperville is a reliable, well-run steakhouse wine program that will not let you down and will not excite you. Come for the prime beef and oysters, order the Jordan or the Duckhorn, and don't look too hard at the markup on the Pinot Grigio.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Naperville · Naperville · Mexican
Fat Rosie's is a genuinely fun taco and tequila spot that has no business being reviewed for its wine — and that's kind of the point. If your table wants wine, order cocktails instead and save everyone the disappointment.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Naperville · Naperville · Mediterranean
Vasili's isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the Greek-focused list has enough genuine producers and interesting grapes to reward curious drinkers — especially on Tuesdays when the bottles go half-price. Watch the markups on the Agiorgitiko, lean into the northern Greek reds and the Malagousia, and you'll eat and drink very well along that riverwalk.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Naperville · Naperville · Chicago-style pizzeria / Italian-American
Lou Malnati's is a legitimately iconic pizza destination — but the wine list is an afterthought, marked up on cheap bottles with zero curation or ambition. Come for the deep dish, drink beer, and save the wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hotel Arista / CityGate Centre · Naperville · Italian
Che Figata is the rare suburban hotel restaurant with a wine list worth actually engaging with — Italian-focused, sommelier-guided, and broad enough to reward exploration. The markups sting on a few bottles, but the range and program depth make this the best wine bet in Naperville's CityGate orbit.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Highway 29 corridor · St. Helena · Upscale American Steakhouse
PRESS is the rare place where a 2,700-bottle list actually delivers — deep, well-stored, and staffed by people who know what they're talking about. The pricing is steep by any honest measure, but if Napa Cabernet is your religion, this is the cathedral.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Mauna Lani Resort · Kailua-Kona · Upscale American Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Mauna Lani does exactly what it promises: a deep, California-forward wine list served in proper glassware at steep resort prices inside a flawless steakhouse setting. You won't discover anything new here, but if you're after a great bottle of Napa Cab with your Prime filet and an ocean breeze somewhere nearby, this list will not let you down.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Appleton · Upscale American Steakhouse
Vince Lombardi's wine list won't win any awards for creativity, but it's competent, well-suited to the menu, and it won't embarrass the kitchen. If you're here for a prime steak and a reliable bottle of Jordan, you'll leave happy — just don't come looking for discovery.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
