Al Biernat's Restaurant
Big Tex steakhouse energy, serious wine chops
Dallas · Dallas · Seafood, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
An 800-plus bottle list at a Dallas steakhouse could mean wall-to-wall Caymus and Silver Oak with nothing else to say — but Al Biernat's actually has something going on here. The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 2023 isn't just a trophy on the wall; the list backs it up with real range across California, France, Oregon, and Italy. Walking in, you sense this is a room that takes its wine seriously.
Selection Deep Dive
The California muscle is exactly what you'd expect from a place like this — Opus One, Dominus Estate, Far Niente Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena — but the list doesn't stop there. France shows up properly with Chateau Margaux, Chateau Lynch-Bages, and Louis Jadot representing Burgundy at a few different price tiers. Italy earns its seat with Gaja Barbaresco, Antinori Tignanello, and Sassicaia, which tells you the buyer isn't just checking boxes. Oregon gets a nod through Domaine Drouhin and Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, rounding out a list that actually rewards exploration beyond the obvious flex bottles.
By the Glass
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 35 options by the glass, with pours running $15 to $30 — respectable range for a room at this price point. The glass selection skews toward the crowd-pleasing end of the list, which makes sense for a steakhouse dining room where not every table wants to commit to a bottle. We'd like to see a bit more adventure in the by-the-glass rotation, but what's there is solid.
Jordan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan consistently punches above its sticker price — structured, approachable, and genuinely good with red meat. At the low end of this list's bottle range, it's the move for anyone who wants California Cab done right without bleeding out on Opus One.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
Everyone in this room is ordering Cabernet, which means the Drouhin sitting on this list is getting ignored. That's a mistake. This is a serious Oregon Pinot from a producer with roots in Burgundy — lighter on its feet than the big Cabs, and genuinely interesting next to the lobster bisque or even a lighter fish preparation.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine — but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles on steakhouse lists across America. At Al Biernat's pricing levels, you can almost certainly do better for the money elsewhere on this list. It's the safe pick for people who don't want to think, which is exactly why we're telling you to think a little harder.
Gaja Barbaresco + Prime Ribeye
Barbaresco's high acidity and firm tannins are built to cut through the fat on a prime ribeye — it's a combination that's been working in Piedmont for a century. Gaja's version adds enough complexity to make both the wine and the steak feel more interesting than either would on their own.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Al Biernat's is a proper Dallas steakhouse wine list — deep, well-curated, and staffed by people who actually know what they're talking about. Markup runs steep as expected in this category, but the Wine Spectator credential is earned, and if you're willing to look past the obvious bottle picks, there's real drinking to be done here.
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