The Bugler

Opening the wine list at The Bugler, you get the message fast: this place is here for Cab drinkers with expense accounts and a view of the racetrack. The list is polished, familiar, and built for people who know what they want — which is usually something Californian and red.

The France and California focus is tight and deliberate, anchored by heavy-hitters like Chateau Margaux, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Stag's Leap, and Jordan — the kind of lineup that plays every Steakhouse Greatest Hits without many surprises. Louis Jadot covers the Burgundy flank on the French side, and Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling does lone duty as the token Pacific Northwest gesture. The list runs 80 to 120 bottles, which is respectable for Hot Springs, but adventurous drinkers looking for Rhône, anything Italian, or a natural wine will hit a wall fast. Wine Spectator handed this place an Award of Excellence in 2025 — and the France and California muscle earns it, even if the range doesn't push many boundaries.

Ten to sixteen pours by the glass gives you enough to work with, and the program seems built around the same California-forward producers that anchor the bottle list. Don't expect rotating selections or anything off the beaten path — this is a set-it-and-forget-it glass program that prioritizes consistency over discovery.