Big Cabs, Big Steaks, No Surprises
Brookfield · Milwaukee · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 9, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Mr. B's – A Bartolotta 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 Mr. B's reads like a greatest hits album of American steakhouse classics — Caymus, Silver Oak, Opus One, all present and accounted for. It's a list built to impress a table of expense-account diners who know exactly what they want and aren't looking to be challenged. That's not a knock, exactly, but don't show up hoping to discover something off the beaten path.
With 200-350 bottles, there's genuine depth here — the list pulls from the US, Italy, and France, which covers the steakhouse bases reasonably well. California Cabernet is clearly the star: Jordan, Far Niente, Duckhorn, and the inevitable Opus One anchor the red section. The Italian and French selections exist but feel like supporting cast rather than co-leads. If you're a Burgundy or Barolo hunter, this list won't make your pulse quicken.
The by-the-glass program runs 12-20 options, which is a solid count for a room that's mostly ordering bottles anyway. Expect the pours to skew toward approachable crowd-pleasers rather than anything that'll make you put down your fork. Rotation appears minimal — this is a set-it-and-forget-it program that prioritizes consistency over discovery.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan consistently over-delivers for its tier — it's genuinely well-made California Cab that doesn't lean on cult status to justify its price tag. In a list where everything trends expensive, Jordan is often the sweet spot between quality and not needing a second mortgage.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at this table is ordering Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets ignored. That's a mistake — Duckhorn has been making serious Napa Merlot for decades, and it holds its own against anything on this list. Skip the crowd and order this.
Opus One
Opus One is a genuinely great wine, but steakhouse markup turns it into a monument to paying too much. You're not buying wine here — you're buying the logo on the label. The same money gets you more pleasure elsewhere on this list.
Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime Ribeye
Far Niente has the structure and fruit concentration to stand up to a well-marbled ribeye without either one bullying the other. It's the kind of pairing that makes the steakhouse format make complete sense.
The Bottom Line
Mr. B's is exactly what it promises — a polished, reliable steakhouse wine list that hits all the expected marks without a single surprise. Send a friend here if they want a sure thing; send them somewhere else if they want to be excited.
Downtown · Milwaukee · Brazilian Steakhouse
Rodizio Grill Milwaukee is a genuinely fun night out if you're there for the meat and the spectacle — but the wine list is coasting on the restaurant's momentum rather than adding anything to it. Order the Gaucho Club, enjoy the picanha, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverwalk · Milwaukee · Japanese sushi and Asian fusion
Screaming Tuna isn't a wine destination, but it's a sushi spot with a wine list that actually respects the food it's serving — and in Milwaukee, that's worth calling out. Take a chance on the Alsatian whites or the sake program and you'll leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lower East Side · Milwaukee · French and Italian Riviera-Inspired Fine Dining
Lupi & Iris is doing something genuinely rare in Milwaukee — a wine program with depth, a sommelier who runs real events, and markup that doesn't make you feel like a mark. Send your friends here, and tell them to book early for the DRC dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Downtown · Milwaukee · Seafood-focused Contemporary American
Third Coast Provisions has a genuinely thoughtful wine list for a city that doesn't always demand one — the Burgundy focus is earned, the staff knows what they're doing, and the seafood menu gives those whites every opportunity to shine. The markup keeps it from being a destination for wine alone, but if you're already here for the food, you're in good hands.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Northwest Side · Milwaukee · Italian, Handmade Pasta, Wine Bar
Ca'Lucchenzo is the kind of place that makes you wonder why every Italian restaurant doesn't just commit to Italy this hard on the wine side. It's not a deep cellar, but it's a focused, honest list that actually fits the food — send your friends here and tell them to skip the cocktail.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Brady Street · Milwaukee · Italian-American
Dorsia is a genuinely fun spot for drinks and Italian-American comfort food, but the wine program is a placeholder — familiar commercial labels at markups that don't reflect any real curation or care. Lean into their cocktail program instead, and hope they eventually give the wine list the same attention they gave the interior design.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
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