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πŸ”₯The Rager

Guard and Grace

Denver's steakhouse wine list earns its stripes

Downtown Denver Β· Denver Β· Steak House Β· Visit Website β†—

date-nightdeep-cellarold-world-focussplurge-worthy

Reviewed April 7, 2026

Wingman Metrics

List VarietyDeep & Eclectic
MarkupSteep
GlasswareVarietal Specific
StaffWilling but Green
Specials & DealsSet & Forget
Storage & TempProper

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 $14–$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.

πŸ’°Best Value

Jordan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon β€” $60–$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.

πŸ’ŽHidden Gem

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.

β›”Skip This

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.

🍽️Perfect Pairing

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.

πŸ”₯ 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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