Jeff Ruby's Carlo & Johnny
California Royalty Meets Ohio Steakhouse Royalty
Montgomery · Montgomery · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Carlo & Johnny lands with the weight of a leather-bound novel — 400 to 600 bottles deep, anchored hard in California, France, and Italy. This is a steakhouse that takes its wine program seriously enough to earn Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence every year since 2015, and the list reflects that commitment. Walk in expecting a greatest-hits album from Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany — and that's not a knock.
Selection Deep Dive
The California section reads like a who's-who of the premium Cab world: Caymus, Silver Oak, Far Niente, Jordan, Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap — if it made waves in Napa, it's probably here. France gets serious representation too, with Louis Jadot holding down Burgundy and Chateau Margaux anchoring the Bordeaux prestige tier. Italy shows up strong with Gaja Barbaresco and Antinori Tignanello — two bottles that remind you the list isn't just chasing American palates. The gaps are real though: no obvious deep dive into Rhône, Spain, or anything remotely adventurous, so if you're hunting for a funky Jura or a skin-contact anything, look elsewhere.
By the Glass
With 20 to 35 pours available by the glass, this is a genuinely strong BTG program for a steakhouse in suburban Ohio — most places in this zip code give you six options and call it a day. Expect the usual suspects to rotate through, anchored by the big Napa Cabs that are the heart of this list. No confirmed rotation program, but the volume of options means there's almost always something worth ordering without committing to a full bottle.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $80
Jordan consistently overdelivers at its price point — elegant, food-friendly, and a fraction of what the cult Napa names on this list command. Next to a $300 Far Niente or an Opus One, it's the quiet hero of the Cab section.
Gaja Barbaresco
Most tables at a steakhouse like this go straight for the Napa Cab block without looking up. But Gaja's Barbaresco — Nebbiolo at its most serious and complex — is genuinely one of the great red wines in the world and a stunning match for beef. Most diners skip it because they don't recognize the name. That's your opportunity.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy bottle, and Carlo & Johnny charges accordingly. At a steakhouse markup on top of an already premium retail price, you're paying heavily for the name on the label. The wine is good — it's just not $400-plus-in-a-restaurant good when Jordan or Chateau Montelena exist on the same list.
Antinori Tignanello + Dry-aged ribeye
Tignanello's blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc brings just enough Old World acidity and structure to cut through the fat of a dry-aged ribeye without overwhelming the beef's depth. It's the rare bottle that straddles both worlds — and it makes a great conversation starter at the table.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Carlo & Johnny is the kind of steakhouse wine list that earns its Wine Spectator hardware — deep in the right regions, loaded with recognizable names, and serious enough to match the white tablecloths and dry-aged beef. The markups are steakhouse-standard steep and there's no sommelier to guide you through it, but if you know what you're looking for, there are real rewards here.
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