Serious Steak, Serious Cellar, No Apologies
Chandler · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 5, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Prime, A Shula's Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list lands on the table with the kind of weight that makes you sit up a little straighter. Five hundred-plus selections, anchored in California and France, with enough big names to make a power lunch feel like a genuine occasion. This is a steakhouse that takes its wine program as seriously as its 48-oz porterhouse.
California cab is the clear center of gravity here — Caymus, Silver Oak, Far Niente, Stag's Leap, Jordan, Joseph Phelps Insignia, and Opus One all show up, covering the spectrum from weekend-treat to special-occasion splurge. Burgundy gets proper representation through Louis Jadot, and Bordeaux gets its due with Château Margaux anchoring the prestige end. Duckhorn fills in the Merlot gap for guests who still haven't forgiven Sideways. The list skews heavily Old Guard California and classic France — if you're hunting natural wine or anything adventurous from the Southern Hemisphere, look elsewhere.
With 20-35 options by the glass, there's enough range to drink well from start to finish without committing to a bottle. Expect the usual suspects — Caymus and Silver Oak almost certainly appear in pour form — which is genuinely useful when you want the name without the full bottle commitment. Sommelier Eric Larson is on hand, so if the glass menu feels narrow, ask what's open; that's usually where the interesting stuff lives.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $90
Jordan reliably punches above its retail price in restaurant settings, and at a steakhouse where markups trend aggressive, it's often the sweet spot — polished Alexander Valley cab that doesn't require a second mortgage and holds its own against a prime ribeye.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at a steakhouse is gunning for the big cab, but Duckhorn's Merlot is consistently one of the best-value bottles on any list it appears on — plush, structured, and genuinely food-friendly in a way that flashier cabs sometimes aren't. Most tables walk right past it.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and steakhouses markup accordingly. You're paying a significant premium for a wine you can find at Total Wine for a fraction of the restaurant price. The name recognition costs you here — put that money toward something with more story behind it.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + 28-day aged prime ribeye
Stag's Leap brings cassis and cedar with enough acid to cut through the fat on a well-marbled ribeye without the over-the-top ripeness that can flatten a great steak. It's the classic California cab pairing done right — structure meets umami, neither one winning, both better for it.
The Bottom Line
Prime, A Shula's earns its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence — the list is deep, the staff knows what they're doing, and if you're willing to navigate the markups, there are genuinely great bottles to be had here. Send a friend who's celebrating something; just tell them to ask Eric what's worth drinking before defaulting to the Caymus.
Downtown Chandler · Chandler · Wine bar / small plates
BlackSheep is the kind of neighborhood wine bar that punches above its zip code — daily deals, a genuinely curious regional list, and a casual atmosphere that makes wine feel accessible rather than intimidating. If you're anywhere near downtown Chandler, this is the move for a weekday afternoon glass.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chandler · Steakhouse
Perry's Chandler is a reliable wine stop for a steakhouse night — 37 by-the-glass options and a solid sparkling section save it from being boring, but the markups and crowd-pleaser roster keep it from being great. Order the Tempranillo or Crémant and you'll drink well; chase the familiar California labels and you'll pay for the brand name, not the wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · Japanese teppanyaki
Benihana Chandler's wine list won't blow your mind, but it's functional and has a few genuine bright spots buried under the crowd-pleasers. If you're here for the show, grab the Rochioli or the Balland Sancerre and enjoy the flying shrimp.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Wild Vine Uncorked has the aesthetic of a wine bar and the wine list of a casual chain restaurant — if you're coming specifically for the wine program, there's not enough here to justify the trip. Order the Craggy Range, enjoy your company, and recalibrate expectations.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Desert Ridge · Chandler · Hawaiian Fusion / Seafood
Roy's punches above its chain-restaurant weight with a wine list that has real picks across sparkling, white, and international categories — but steep markups on recognizable bottles mean you need to know where to look. Send your wine-curious friends here with a cheat sheet and they'll do just fine.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · French steakhouse / bistro
A sparkling-only list in a French steakhouse sounds like a gimmick until you see Egly-Ouriet, Selosse, and Contratto sharing space with a $29 Moët. This is a genuinely unusual, thoughtfully assembled program that rewards curious drinkers — just know what you're walking into.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Norcross · American Steakhouse
The evidence here points to a wine dinner feature list, not an actual wine program — and even by wine dinner standards, five bottles with no pricing and a mystery sparkling wine isn't inspiring. If you're eating at J. Alexander's Peachtree Corners on a regular Tuesday, we genuinely don't know what's on the wine list, and that's not a great sign. Order a cocktail, ask your server what's actually available, and don't plan your evening around the wine.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Rochester · American Steakhouse
CHAR makes it easy to try Finger Lakes wine alongside the steakhouse standards. Our move is Hosmer Cabernet Franc at $16/glass, with Panizzi Vernaccia at $14 for anyone leaning white. Check the per-ounce pricing before ordering a Coravin pour.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fort Worth · American Steakhouse
Del Frisco's Grille Fort Worth has a wine list the same way an airport newsstand has a wine section — technically true, practically limiting. Order the Tokaji for dessert, drink cocktails with dinner, and don't expect anyone to help you navigate the difference.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
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
