Champagne Bar Meets Serious Wine Cellar
River North · Chicago · French Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Alston’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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.
Logan Square · Chicago · Italian
Come to Osteria Langhe for a focused trip through Piedmontese wine. Thursday’s advertised half-price selection is worth asking about, and Wednesday offers a wine pairing alongside the four-course menu. The linked wine list is dated December 2025, so confirm today’s bottles and prices before choosing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American Casual
Summer House is not a wine destination, but it's a reliable place to drink well enough without getting gouged on the low end — just steer clear of the big-name bottles where the markup climbs. Send your friend here if they want something easy and good; don't send them here if they're chasing something serious.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · Italian
il Carciofo is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that treats Italian regional variety as the main event, not the footnote. If you're tired of the same Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico circuit, this is exactly where you should be eating dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chicago · Chicago · Steakhouse
STK Chicago is here to sell you a night out, and the wine list is just part of the set dressing. If you care about what's in your glass, eat here for the steak and order water.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · French Brasserie
La Grande Boucherie Chicago is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants a French-focused list executed with genuine effort and the occasional smart value. The markups aren't shy, but the BTG program and specials take some of the sting out — go in with a plan and you'll drink well.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chicago · Steakhouse
This is not the wine list you expect to find at The Palm, and that's exactly why it earns attention. Six bottles, zero filler, genuinely fair pricing — if someone's tending this list, they deserve a raise.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
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.
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