The Blue Note Grill
Tuesday Saves It, But Just Barely
Lakewood · Durham · American
Reviewed April 4, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at The Blue Note Grill reads like it was assembled by someone who shops exclusively at the airport duty-free. You'll recognize every name here — and not in a good way. This is a list built for people who order wine by color, not by producer.
Selection Deep Dive
California and the Pacific Northwest anchor the list, with a nod to France that amounts to little more than a footnote. The wines are safe, recognizable, and uninspired — Josh Cellars, Meiomi, Bogle, Murphy-Goode, Kim Crawford. There's no sense that anyone spent time curating this beyond pulling from a distributor's greatest hits sheet. If you're hoping to find something from a small producer, an interesting region, or even a decent Rhône, keep hoping.
By the Glass
Six to ten pours by the glass, which sounds decent until you realize they're almost certainly drawn from the same mainstream roster on the bottle list. There's no indication the by-the-glass program rotates with any intention or ambition. It gets the job done, but don't expect any surprises.
Meiomi Pinot Noir California 2022 — $45
At 61% over retail, it's the least punishing markup on the list — and relative to everything else here, that's as close to a win as you're going to get. It's a soft, crowd-pleasing Pinot that at least delivers on what it promises.
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma 2023
Nobody's ordering this next to the Josh Cab, but it's a brighter, more food-friendly option that actually holds its own with the fried bar snacks. Overlooked by default, not by merit.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2023
Forty dollars for a wine you can grab at any grocery store for $22 is a tough ask. Kim Crawford is fine — it's just not fine enough to justify that gap, especially when better options exist elsewhere.
Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2021 + Burger
Old Vine Zinfandel has the fruit weight and enough pepper to stand up to a juicy, charred burger without getting lost. It's not a sophisticated pairing — it's a practical one, and that's all this list is asking of you.
Tuesday — Half-price wine bottles on Tuesdays after 5pm — the single best reason to think about wine at The Blue Note Grill.
❌ The Bottom Line
The Blue Note Grill is a live music bar first and a wine destination approximately never — and the list makes that clear. Come on a Tuesday after 5pm, grab a half-price bottle of the Meiomi, and let the band do the heavy lifting.
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