Champagne Bar Meets Serious Wine Cellar
River North · Chicago · French Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here is a 300-400 bottle statement piece — a clear signal that The Alston takes wine as seriously as its dry-aged steaks. There's a dedicated Champagne bar, a sommelier team that actually knows their stuff, and the kind of cellar depth that makes you want to skip the cocktail menu entirely.
This is classic French steakhouse wine territory done right: serious Bordeaux holdings, real Burgundy depth, and a California Cabernet section that goes beyond the usual Napa suspects. The Italian selection shows thoughtfulness too, with enough Barolo and Super Tuscans to keep things interesting. We're seeing vintage Champagnes on offer, not just the house pour nonsense, and the overall range suggests someone actually curates this list rather than letting a distributor auto-fill it. The only gap? Not much adventure here — this is Old World blue chips and New World power players, nothing funky or natural.
With 25-35 options by the glass, you've got real choices beyond the basic Chardonnay-Cab-Pinot trifecta. The glass program rotates seasonally, which means they're not pouring the same oxidized Sancerre for six months straight. Expect classic varietals served in proper stems — this isn't a stemless situation.
Entry-level Napa Cabernet — $60-80
At the low end of their bottle range, you're getting steakhouse-appropriate California Cab without the triple-digit markup spiral
Classic Bordeaux from overlooked vintages
With this much Bordeaux depth, there are likely older vintage bottles from solid but underrated years hiding at fair prices while everyone chases the trophy vintages
Top-tier Napa Cabernet
Steakhouse markup on cult Cabs is brutal — you're paying 4x retail for a name you could buy at a wine shop and drink at home
Vintage Champagne + Hand Cut Steak Tartare
The acidity and minerality of aged Champagne cuts through the richness of raw beef and egg yolk like a knife, while the luxury factor matches the elegance of the dish
🔥 The Bottom Line
The Alston delivers serious wine program firepower in a city that doesn't lack for upscale steakhouses. The markup stings on the high end, but the depth, proper service, and glass selection earn the badge.
West Loop · Chicago · Californian
The Oakville Grill earns its Wine Spectator credential and the sommelier duo makes this list accessible, not intimidating. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is reason enough to get a reservation — just let go of the idea that anything other than California is on the agenda.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American
John's is a neighborhood spot that punches well above its casual format — two sommeliers, a thoughtful France-and-California list, fair prices, and half-price bottles every Monday. Send your friends here, especially on a Monday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
River North · Chicago · American, Seafood
Terrace 16 earns its Wine Spectator badge and delivers a respectable, California-and-France-focused list in one of Chicago's most dramatic dining rooms. Just don't expect to be surprised — the wine is as reliable as the skyline view, and nearly as expensive.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
River North · Chicago · French, Indian
Indienne is the Wild Card in the truest sense — a fusion kitchen with a genuinely considered wine program that earns its Wine Spectator nod. Yes, send a friend here for wine, but make sure they skip the Napa Cab and lead with Riesling.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Loop · Chicago · Steak house
BLVD Steakhouse doesn't reinvent the steakhouse wine list, but it executes the formula competently — solid producers, proper storage, and enough range to keep a table of Cab loyalists happy all night. Just go in with your eyes open on the markups and skip the trophy-bottle trap.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Magnificent Mile · Chicago · American
Adorn is a reliable, well-staffed wine program in a high-overhead setting — you're paying for the view and the address, but the list itself is legitimate. Send a friend here who wants solid French and California bottles without doing homework first.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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