Big Napa Energy, Classic Steakhouse Execution
Downtown · Cincinnati · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated July 2026
Reviewed June 5, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Ruth's Chris Steak House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ruth's Chris Cincinnati reads exactly like you'd expect — heavy on California cabs, polished presentation, and a clear understanding that most people here are celebrating something and willing to spend. It's not trying to surprise you, and it doesn't.
Three hundred to five hundred bottles sounds impressive until you realize a large chunk of the real estate is devoted to Napa Cabernet and its closest friends. Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Opus One — it's a murderer's row of the greatest hits, but you won't find much outside the canon. Bordeaux and Burgundy make appearances to give the list some old-world credibility, and Washington State gets a nod, but adventurous drinkers will feel like they've seen this movie before. If you came here specifically for a $150 bottle of Napa Cab with a sizzling ribeye, congratulations — you're in exactly the right place.
Twenty to thirty options by the glass is genuinely solid for a steakhouse, and the price range of $14–$25 is predictable if not exactly thrilling. The selection skews predictably toward big reds with crowd-pleasing names, which is fine — it's what the room wants. Don't expect much rotation; this list is built to stay put.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $50–$70 (bottle estimate)
Jordan punches well above its price point in this context — it's the most approachable of the heavy hitters on the list, with enough structure for a prime steak but none of the 'pay for the label' tax that follows Opus One around the room.
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
Everyone at the table is ordering Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked every night. That's a mistake — this is serious, structured Merlot that absolutely holds its own against a ribeye and often costs less than the flashier bottles on the same page.
Opus One, Napa Valley
Yes, it's Opus One. Yes, it's a legendary wine. It's also marked up to a price that makes the value case nearly impossible to defend in a restaurant setting — if you want to drink Opus One, buy it at retail and open it at home. Here, you're paying for the thrill of ordering it out loud.
Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley + USDA Prime Filet Mignon
The filet is the leanest, most delicate cut on the menu, and the Far Niente Chardonnay — rich and full without being a butter bomb — matches its weight without overpowering it. It's the move for the table member who doesn't do red wine but still wants something that feels intentional.
The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris Cincinnati is a reliable, well-stocked steakhouse list that delivers exactly what it promises — big California reds, proper storage, and a bottle for every budget above $50. Just don't come expecting discovery; come expecting execution.
· Cincinnati · Contemporary American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's is a reliable performer in a genre that doesn't reward risk-taking — you'll eat well, drink acceptably, and pay steakhouse prices for both. If you're after a wine list that surprises or challenges you, this isn't your room. But if you need somewhere that delivers a respectable bottle alongside a serious filet, this gets the job done without embarrassing you at the table.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montgomery · Cincinnati · American
A winery-restaurant list where nearly every wine is posted with a glass and a bottle price, from $9.50 to $25.00 a glass. Start with the Cooper's Hawk Lux Cabernet Sauvignon, which the menu lists beside the red wine braised short ribs, or the Cooper's Hawk Red at $10.75 a glass, and try the CHMX from Baja, Mexico on a weekday at the $8 Wine O'Clock price. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups, so confirm availability.
Covington · Cincinnati · Farm-to-Table Bistro
A bistro wine list with a compact glass tab and a regional bottle tab that runs from 42 to 310. Start with the Conquilla cava or the Voliero sangiovese by the glass, or the Thymiopoulos xinomavro at $50 if you want a bottle, and confirm prices because the menu is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Cincinnati · Wood-Fired American
A French-led bottle list with a glass page that starts at $17 and a Coravin page for smaller pours. Order the Domaine Brun-Avril Côtes-du-Rhône at $20 a glass, or try the Château de Plaisance Anjou Blanc by the pour, and confirm vintages since the book says they are subject to change. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks selection, not service, storage or markups.
Newport · Cincinnati · Farm-to-table (Italian, French, American)
A tasting-menu room with a wine book that runs from Burgundy to Tuscany and a short, specific beverage sheet. Start with the $15 Delalle sparkling Chenin Blanc, or look at the $48 Rocca del Principe Fiano if you want a bottle, and confirm what is available since neither list is dated. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks lists, not service, storage or markups.
Lytle Park · Cincinnati · Italian
A broad Italian-and-Napa list, with every glass pour labeled by size. Start with the Santa Cristina Cabernet Sauvignon (6oz 12) or the Ohio-made Carlotta red blend (43), and confirm what is pouring, since the list carries no date. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
· Cumming, GA · Steakhouse
Avi's wine list is exactly what a neighborhood steakhouse should have — fair prices, enough variety to keep a table of six happy, and a few quiet overachievers hiding in plain sight. It won't excite a serious wine nerd, but it won't insult them either. If you're in Cumming and need a solid bottle with your steak, you can do this without regret.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Buford · Steakhouse
Bare Bones Steakhouse has a wine list that feels like an afterthought — five crowd-pleasing reds, no whites, no by-the-glass transparency, and no sign that anyone is paying close attention to what's in the cellar or how it's priced. If you're here for the steak, you'll get through dinner just fine with a Cab from this list. But if wine is part of why you're going out, there are better places to spend that money in the greater Buford area.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Cumming, GA · Steakhouse
The Ridge is a solid night out if you're in Forsyth County and want a steak with a side of live music and forest air — the wine program just isn't the reason to come. Until the list is published and verifiable, order something bold and red, enjoy your filet, and let the scenery do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
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.
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