Norman's

Norman's wine list reads like a time capsule from 2005—safe, established names with predictable markup. The leather-bound book suggests prestige, but flip through and you'll find the usual suspects at country club prices. Nothing offensive, nothing exciting.

The list skews heavily toward California Cabernets and Napa Chardonnays, with token representation from France and Italy. You'll find recognizable labels like Caymus, Silver Oak, and Duckhorn—all competent wines that telegraph "fine dining" without taking risks. The Old World section leans Bordeaux-heavy with a few Super Tuscans thrown in, but depth is lacking. No natural wines, minimal representation from emerging regions, and zero personality. It's the kind of list assembled by a distributor's greatest-hits package rather than someone with an actual point of view.

The by-the-glass program runs about 8-10 selections, rotated infrequently if at all. Expect the standards: a Sonoma Chardonnay around $16, a Pinot Noir hovering near $18, maybe a Provençal rosé in summer. Nothing poured suggests anyone's tasting through options or chasing seasonality. The glasses are proper stems—varietal specific for reds—which is more than many upscale spots bother with these days.