Wendell's Steak & Seafood
California classics with a mountain view chaser
Mescalero · Mescalero · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 18, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You're sitting inside a resort casino in the Sacramento Mountains, looking out at a lake that has no business being this beautiful in New Mexico, and the wine list lands on your table. It reads exactly like you'd expect from a fine dining room attached to a casino: California heavy, recognizable names, nothing to scare anyone. That's not a knock — it's just the deal.
Selection Deep Dive
The 80-120 bottle list is a California greatest hits compilation, and Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence since 2020 confirms they're doing it competently. Caymus, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Rombauer, Cakebread, Duckhorn — these are the reliable anchors that keep resort wine programs running. There's no real detour into Burgundy, Rhône, or even domestic alternatives like Oregon or Washington, so if you came hoping for a Willamette Valley Pinot to match your salmon, you're probably out of luck. The list earns its keep for the steakhouse crowd it's serving, even if it doesn't push anyone to think harder.
By the Glass
With 10-16 pours on offer, the by-the-glass program is workable for a resort dining room. Expect the usual suspects — a Chardonnay, a Cab, probably a Merlot — drawn from the same California producers anchoring the bottle list. Rotation appears minimal; this is a set-and-forget program rather than something a manager is actively curating week to week.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $75
Jordan consistently punches above its price point as a producer, and in a list that trends toward trophy bottles, it's the pick that gives you real Alexander Valley character without requiring a second mortgage. Great match for the prime ribeye.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone here is hunting Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked. That's a mistake — Duckhorn basically redefined what Napa Merlot could be, and it's a more interesting pairing with the filet mignon than the obvious Cab call.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a perfectly fine wine that's been so aggressively marketed into resort wine lists that it now carries a serious prestige markup with diminishing returns. You're paying for the name recognition here, not the juice. The Jordan is a better bottle for less drama.
Rombauer Chardonnay + Pan-seared salmon
Rombauer's big, buttery California Chardonnay and a pan-seared salmon are basically made for each other — the richness in both plays off the fat in the fish without overwhelming it. It's not a subtle pairing, but it's the right one for this room.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Wendell's is a reliable wine program doing exactly what a resort steakhouse in the mountains of New Mexico needs to do — keep the California hits stocked and the glasses full. Don't come for wine discovery; do come for a Jordan Cab with a ribeye while the sun drops behind Sierra Blanca.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.