Char Restaurant
California Classics Done Right in Mississippi
Jackson · Jackson · Steak house · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 16, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Char reads like a greatest hits of California — Caymus, Silver Oak, Opus One — the names people recognize and order without hesitation. It's not trying to challenge you, and that's kind of the point. White tablecloths, Gulf seafood, prime beef: this list was built to match the room.
Selection Deep Dive
Between 150 and 250 bottles, the list leans hard into Napa and Sonoma Cabernet with supporting roles from Merlot and Chardonnay — think Duckhorn, Stag's Leap, Rombauer, Far Niente. There's no real detour into Burgundy, Rhône, or anything that might confuse a table ordering a ribeye. That's a deliberate choice, not an oversight, and it holds up well for a classic American steakhouse in Jackson. Wine Spectator has recognized the program with their Award of Excellence since 2018, which tracks — it's a dependable, well-curated California cellar even if it rarely surprises.
By the Glass
With 12 to 20 options by the glass, there's enough range to find something for every course without committing to a bottle. Pricing lands in the $40–$300 bottle range across the list, so glass pours should be accessible. We'd expect the BTG rotation to mirror the bottle list — California-heavy, crowd-friendly, solid.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — Under $100
Jordan consistently over-delivers at its price point — structured, food-friendly, and one of the more honest names on a list that could easily lean into trophy bottles. It's the move at a steakhouse when you want California Cab without the Opus One bill.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at the table is reaching for Cab, and that's fine. But Duckhorn's Merlot is quietly one of the best food wines in Napa — plush, less tannic, and killer with the No-Filler Crab Cakes or a filet. Most people skip it. Don't.
Opus One
It's Opus One — yes, it's iconic, yes it's good, and yes restaurants mark it up hard. At a steakhouse that already has Silver Oak and Stag's Leap on the list, you're paying a significant premium for the label. Save the splurge for somewhere that treats it as a centerpiece.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Pecan-Crusted Blackfish
Stag's Leap Cab is known for its relative elegance — less muscle than Caymus, more finesse. That makes it a rare Cab that actually works with a fish dish, especially one with toasty pecan crust adding richness and texture. It's the kind of pairing that surprises people in the best way.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Char isn't reinventing the wine list, but it doesn't need to — it's a reliable, well-maintained California program that fits the room and the food perfectly. If you're in Jackson and want a proper bottle of West Coast Cab with a serious steak, this is your spot.
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