Sleek Sushi Spot, Wine List Plays It Safe
Old Town Scottsdale · Scottsdale · Japanese Sushi · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 21, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Sushi Roku’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The room is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here — mood lighting, live music, chic Japanese-meets-Vegas energy — and the wine list follows that same logic: it looks good at first glance but doesn't reward much scrutiny. You flip through expecting something adventurous to match the kitchen's ambition, and instead you find the usual suspects lined up like they're waiting for a table at The Cheesecake Factory.
The list skews hard California with some Oregon and New Zealand representation, and a nod toward Burgundy that feels more aspirational than actionable. Rombauer Chardonnay, Meiomi Pinot Noir, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — these are solid, crowd-tested bottles, but they're also what you'd find at a TGI Fridays with slightly better ambitions. There's no real depth here for anyone looking to explore beyond the mainstream, and the French section reads like an afterthought rather than a curated statement. To the list's credit, it won't confuse or offend anyone — it just won't excite them either.
The by-the-glass program runs 8–14 options, which is a reasonable count for a restaurant in this format, but the selection largely mirrors the bottle list's lack of imagination. You're getting your Rombauer Chardonnay pour here, which is perfectly fine for most of the table — just don't expect anything that makes you stop mid-conversation. No visible rotation or seasonal glass program to speak of.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough — null
It's the least glamorous pick on the list, but Kim Crawford is reliably crisp and bright — and it actually does something useful against fatty, umami-rich sushi. If it's priced reasonably by the glass, it's the move that won't let you down.
Burgundy selection (France)
Most people at Sushi Roku are reaching for California reds and whites, which means whatever Burgundy the list offers — however modest — is likely being overlooked. A French Pinot or white Burgundy alongside chef's choice nigiri is a genuinely interesting combination that the crowd-pleaser crowd isn't even considering.
Rombauer Chardonnay, Carneros
Rombauer is a perfectly good wine that has been marked up into the stratosphere at every upscale casual restaurant in America. You are absolutely paying the fame tax here. At a restaurant charging $$$ across the board, this bottle is almost certainly priced at a point where you could find it at a wine shop for a fraction of the cost.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough + Seared Tuna
The high acidity and citrus-driven character of the Kim Crawford cuts through the richness of seared tuna without steamrolling the fish's flavor. It's a simple combination that actually makes sense — and sometimes that's all you need.
The Bottom Line
Sushi Roku is a great place to eat and a fine place to drink wine, so long as you're not there for the wine. The list is safe, the markups are real, and the energy of the room will distract you from caring too much — which is probably the intent.
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One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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