Phillip M's

You're on Highway 16 in Philadelphia, Mississippi — Pearl River Resort country — and then the wine list lands on your table with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti on it. That's the kind of cognitive whiplash that earns our attention immediately. This is not a list that belongs in a casino resort steakhouse, and we mean that as the highest possible compliment.

Wine Spectator handed Phillip M's a Best of Award of Excellence in 2024, and with 150-250 bottles anchored in Burgundy and California, you can see why. The French side leans on respected names — Louis Jadot's Gevrey-Chambertin and Joseph Drouhin represent the Côte de Nuits with some credibility, and DRC is there for anyone feeling bold. California is well-covered too: Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Far Niente, Jordan, Caymus, and Opus One form a who's-who of steakhouse classics. The list doesn't chase trends or dig into obscure producers, but for a fine dining room in central Mississippi, the depth here is genuinely impressive and the regional focus is cohesive.

With 12-20 pours available by the glass, there's enough range to spend an entire evening without touching a bottle. We'd expect the California Cabernet contingent to dominate those options, with a Burgundy or two for the adventurous. The glass program doesn't appear to rotate aggressively, but the core selection gives you real options rather than just two reds and a Chardonnay.