Guard and Grace
Denver's steakhouse wine list earns its stripes
Downtown Denver Β· Denver Β· Steak House Β· Visit Website β
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list arrives with the same confidence as the soaring ceilings above you β big, bold, and clearly built to impress. At 400-600 selections, this isn't a list someone threw together; there's real intent here. California, France, and Italy anchor the program, and Wine Spectator handed them a Best of Award of Excellence in 2024, which tracks.
Selection Deep Dive
The California backbone is exactly what you'd expect from a serious steakhouse β Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Chateau Montelena, and Dominus Estate all show up, covering the spectrum from crowd-pleaser to collector's table. France punches hard with ChΓ’teau Lynch-Bages Pauillac holding it down for Bordeaux lovers who want old-world structure with their dry-aged ribeye. Italy brings genuine firepower: Gaja Barbaresco, Antinori Tignanello, and Sassicaia aren't afterthoughts β they're serious bottles that belong in this company. The list doesn't wander far outside these three regions, so if you're hunting for something from the RhΓ΄ne, Iberia, or the Southern Hemisphere, you may come up short.
By the Glass
Twenty to thirty-five options by the glass is a generous pour program for a steakhouse, with prices running $14β$30 β respectable range that gives you a real decision to make before the bottle list even opens. The quality of what's available in that range aligns with the broader list's California-forward identity. No evidence of a rotating glass program or weekly by-the-glass features, which is a missed opportunity at this level.
Jordan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon β $60β$80 range
Jordan is the sleeper pick on a list full of headline names. It's consistently well-made, food-friendly, and comes in at a fraction of what Opus One or Dominus will cost you β and honestly holds its own at the dinner table.
Gaja Barbaresco
Most people coming to a Denver steakhouse are reaching for California Cab without a second thought. Gaja Barbaresco is a genuinely world-class Nebbiolo that matches the richness of red meat while bringing complexity the Napa crowd won't see coming. Worth every penny.
Opus One
Opus One is a beautiful wine, but at a restaurant with steep markups, you're paying a serious premium for a label that's already priced high at retail. The same money gets you bottles with more character and less logo tax on this very list.
ChΓ’teau Lynch-Bages Pauillac + Dry-aged prime ribeye
Lynch-Bages brings the classic Pauillac combination of black currant, cedar, and firm tannins β exactly what you want cutting through the fat and char of a dry-aged prime ribeye. It's a textbook match that doesn't feel tired because the wine is genuinely great.
π₯ The Bottom Line
Guard and Grace earns its Wine Spectator hardware with a deep, well-sourced list that takes California, France, and Italy seriously β this is one of the stronger wine programs on the Denver steakhouse circuit. Markups are steep, as expected, so come with a budget and a target bottle in mind.
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