Al Biernat's North
California Royalty, Dallas Beef, Zero Apologies
Dallas · Dallas · Seafood, Steakhouse
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Al Biernat's North reads like a greatest-hits album of California Cabernet — and it's not trying to be anything else. With 400-600 selections and a dedicated sommelier in Mark LaRocca, this place takes wine seriously without making you feel like you need a decoder ring to order. It's a steakhouse list that actually earns its steakhouse reputation.
Selection Deep Dive
California is the undisputed center of gravity here, and the roster backs that up: Opus One, Stag's Leap CASK 23, Shafer Hillside Select, Kistler Chardonnay, Paul Hobbs Cab — this is the Mount Rushmore of Napa and Sonoma, all in one room. If you're hunting for esoteric Burgundy or Barolo, you'll be left wanting, but that's a deliberate choice, not an oversight. The depth within California is genuinely impressive, spanning the full prestige spectrum from approachable Jordan to stratospheric Shafer. The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, earned in 2025, is well-deserved for any wine lover who thinks California is the center of the universe.
By the Glass
Twenty to thirty-five by-the-glass options is a serious pour program for a Dallas steakhouse, and the caliber of producers on the bottle list suggests the glass pours aren't an afterthought. Expect rotating Cabs and Chardonnays that mirror the list's California-first identity. We'd ask Mark LaRocca what's pouring before defaulting to the menu — that's exactly what he's there for.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $50
Jordan always punches above its price point — elegant, food-friendly, and a steal relative to what surrounds it on this list. It's the move when you want Cab without the trophy-wine markup.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at this table is ordering Cabernet, and that's exactly why you should order the Duckhorn Merlot. It's plush, serious, and criminally underordered at steakhouses where Cab gets all the glory.
Opus One
It's a legendary wine and the markup here will remind you of that. You're paying for the name recognition as much as what's in the glass — at a restaurant where plenty of excellent options exist at a fraction of the price, there are better ways to spend that money.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars CASK 23 + Prime bone-in ribeye
CASK 23 is structured enough to stand up to a big ribeye but refined enough not to bludgeon it — the tannins cut through the fat, the dark fruit mirrors the char, and suddenly dinner becomes an event.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Al Biernat's North is the California Cab cathedral of Dallas — serious wine, serious beef, and a sommelier who actually shows up. The markups will test your wallet, but the pedigree of the list earns that Wine Spectator badge for real.
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