Il Lusso
Tallahassee's Italian Anchor Earns Its Stripes
Downtown Tallahassee · Tallahassee · Italian, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into Il Lusso, the wine list immediately signals that someone here is paying attention — 200-plus bottles anchored by serious California Cabs and Italian heavyweights isn't something you stumble into by accident. The room overlooks downtown Tallahassee's chain of parks and feels polished enough to match the ambition on the page. This is the kind of list that earns a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and it's held that badge since 2022.
Selection Deep Dive
The four pillars — California, Piedmont, Tuscany, and Washington — hold up well and reflect what the kitchen actually needs. Caymus, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, and Jordan cover the Napa and Sonoma faithful, while the Italian side brings genuine firepower with Barolo from Gaja or Ceretto and Brunello from Banfi or Altesino. Super Tuscans round out the Italian section with Sassicaia and Tignanello on deck — not surprising choices, but executed with enough depth to mean something. Washington gets a nod via L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot and Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, a smart move that keeps the list from feeling like a California monoculture.
By the Glass
With 20-35 pours running $12-$25 by the glass, there's real range here — enough to work through an evening without committing to a bottle. The glass program tracks the bottle list's strengths, so expect solid California and Italian representation at the pour level. No obvious rotation program or chalk-board specials, but the selection is broad enough that you're not stuck with two reds and a Pinot Grigio.
L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot — $45–$65
Washington Merlot at this quality level almost always punches above its price point on restaurant lists, and L'Ecole is a serious producer that most tables will walk right past chasing the Napa names. Great with the Bistecca or the Osso Buco.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
It lives at the bottom of a list dominated by Cabs and Barolos, which means almost nobody orders it — and that's a mistake. Washington Riesling at this price is a genuinely versatile opener, especially with the Burrata with Prosciutto or Beef Carpaccio to start.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine, but it's also the most marked-up, most ordered Cab in America right now. You're paying a premium for a label that every table in the room is also ordering — and at a restaurant with Stag's Leap and Silver Oak on the same list, there's no reason to default to it.
Barolo (Gaja or Ceretto) + Bistecca alla Fiorentina
This is the match the list was built for. Barolo's tannin structure and dried cherry depth go head-to-head with a thick-cut, charred Florentine steak in the best possible way — the fat and char soften the wine, the wine cuts back through the richness. Classic for a reason.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Il Lusso is legitimately the best wine destination in Tallahassee, and it would hold its own in far larger markets. Pricing runs steep, and you'll want to do your homework before ordering — but the bones of this list are excellent, the Italian selections are the real story, and it absolutely deserves a trip.
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