Cathédrale
Sacred Bottles in a Cathedral of Cool
East Village · New York · French, Mediterranean
Reviewed April 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into Cathédrale, the wine list hits about the same time as the soaring ceiling — both are trying to tell you something about ambition. This is a TAO Group property that decided to actually take wine seriously, and the result is a 400-600 bottle list that earns its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence without leaning on it as a crutch. Burgundy is the obvious obsession here, and they don't pretend otherwise.
Selection Deep Dive
The Burgundy section reads like a greatest-hits collection with actual depth — Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Henri Jayer, Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Leroy, and Raveneau Chablis all present and accounted for. California gets its due with Screaming Eagle, Opus One, and Kistler Chardonnay holding down the New World corner. Bordeaux shows up with heavyweights like Château Pétrus and Château Léoville-Las Cases, while Domaine Weinbach and Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet round out a France-first philosophy that feels intentional rather than reflexive. The gaps are minor — this is a list built for serious drinkers who also want a great dinner.
By the Glass
With 20-35 options running $15-$35, the by-the-glass program is unusually thoughtful for a restaurant of this size and energy. You're not stuck choosing between a forgettable Pinot Grigio and a grocery-store Cabernet — the same seriousness applied to the bottle list clearly informed the pours. Rotation appears to exist but isn't formally structured, so ask Jedrzej or Chase what's moving before you default to a menu pick.
Domaine Weinbach Alsace — $60-$90 (estimated bottle range)
In a list dominated by triple-digit Burgundy and cult Cali Cabs, Weinbach's Alsace offerings represent the smartest spend on the menu — complex, food-friendly, and priced without the prestige tax that everything else carries.
Raveneau Chablis
Most tables at Cathédrale are ordering Burgundy reds or California showstoppers, which means Raveneau's Chablis gets overlooked. That's a mistake — this is benchmark Chardonnay that cuts through the richer French-Mediterranean dishes with the kind of precision the big reds can't offer.
Opus One
Opus One is a perfectly good wine that has been marked up to perfectly absurd levels at every restaurant that carries it, and Cathédrale is not the exception. You're paying a name tax here. The list has better options at every price point.
Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin + Ribeye Steak au Poivre
Rousseau's Gevrey-Chambertin has the structure and earthy depth to stand up to a peppercorn-crusted ribeye without either one steamrolling the other — this is a classic for a reason, and at Cathédrale you have access to one of the best producers making it.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Cathédrale is one of the rare high-energy, high-design New York dining rooms where the wine list is genuinely worth your attention — not just a revenue mechanism dressed up in leather binding. Yes, you'll pay for it, but the depth, the staff knowledge, and the sheer range of serious producers make this worth a detour for anyone who cares about what's in the glass.
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