Big steaks, safe pours, zero surprises
Northeast / University Village · Colorado Springs · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Cowboy Star reads exactly like the room looks — polished, Western-leaning, and built to impress without taking any real risks. You know what you're getting before you even open it: Napa Cabs, a Willamette Pinot, maybe a Washington red for good measure. It's a greatest-hits record, and they're playing every track.
The list runs somewhere between 80 and 130 bottles, anchored hard in Napa Valley and Sonoma, with some Willamette Valley and Washington State filling out the red wine flanks. Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Far Niente — these are the brands that sell themselves, and Cowboy Star leans on that hard. There's nothing wrong with any of these wines, but there's also nothing here that will make a curious drinker feel seen. Gaps in European imports, natural wine, and anything off the beaten California path are wide enough to drive a chuck wagon through.
The by-the-glass program runs 10 to 18 options, priced $12 to $22 — respectable range for a steakhouse at this level. Expect the usual suspects poured in that bracket: a Napa Cab, a Chardonnay, probably a Pinot and a Merlot. The selection doesn't rotate much, and that ceiling of $22 a glass on bottles marked up steeply means the per-ounce math gets uncomfortable fast.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $22
Jordan is consistently well-made, food-friendly, and approachable without the cult markup that follows Caymus or Silver Oak. At the top of the by-the-glass range, it's the most honest pour on the list — structured enough for a ribeye, soft enough to not demand your full attention.
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
Everyone at a steakhouse is scanning for Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets ignored. It shouldn't be. Duckhorn basically kept Merlot alive post-Sideways and this bottle drinks with more complexity than its reputation suggests. Order it before someone at the table vetoes it.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Caymus is fine wine that has become a restaurant markup machine. It's wildly over-ordered, which means it's priced accordingly. You're paying for the name recognition at this point, and Jordan or even the Duckhorn will give you a better experience dollar-for-dollar.
Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley + Dry-aged butcher's cut
Counterintuitive, but a rich, buttery Far Niente Chardonnay alongside dry-aged beef works better than you'd expect — the wine's oak and weight mirror the umami depth of the aged cut without fighting it. It's the move when everyone else at the table is locked into red.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Cowboy Star delivers exactly what a Colorado Springs steakhouse crowd wants from a wine list — familiar names, properly stored, and no homework required. It's not a destination for wine, but it won't embarrass you either; just steer toward Jordan over Caymus and pocket the difference.
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