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🎲The Wild Card

Ox

Argentine Fire Meets Natural Wine Nerd Energy

Southeast Portland Β· Portland Β· Argentine Steakhouse Β· Visit Website β†—

natural-wineold-world-focusdate-nighthidden-gem

Reviewed April 13, 2026

Wingman Metrics

List VarietyDeep & Eclectic
MarkupFair
GlasswareBasic Stemmed
StaffKnowledgeable & Friendly
Specials & DealsActive Program
Storage & TempProper

First Impression

You come to Ox expecting wood smoke and meat, and then the wine list lands on the table and resets your expectations entirely. One hundred fifty labels skewing toward natural producers, Jura, and Loire is not what most steakhouses are doing β€” and that's the whole point. This list has a point of view.

Selection Deep Dive

The focus on natural wines alongside serious Jura and Loire selections makes Ox feel more like a wine bar that happens to have a live-fire grill than a steakhouse that remembered to order wine. Clos Saron and Radikon showing up on a menu next to dry-aged ribeye is a flex, and it works. There are gaps β€” if you want a classic Napa Cab or a big Argentine Malbec to match the South American theme, you might be surprised by how far off the beaten path this list goes. But that's a feature, not a bug.

By the Glass

Fifteen options by the glass is a generous pour program, and at $12–$20 a glass they're not gouging you to explore. The range likely mirrors the bottle list's natural and Old World lean, so expect some funky, interesting pours rather than a wall of safe Chardonnay. Ask your server what's open β€” the rotating nature of a natural-focused program means what's available tonight may not be there next week.

πŸ’°Best Value

Domaine de la Tournelle CrΓ©mant du Jura β€” $68

At 51% over retail it's not the tightest markup on the list, but CrΓ©mant du Jura from Tournelle is the kind of bottle that makes a table of four feel like they made a smart decision. It's complex, celebratory, and still well under $70 β€” a no-brainer opener before the bone marrow arrives.

πŸ’ŽHidden Gem

Radikon Jakon

Most tables ordering a big steak are going to reach for something red and obvious. Radikon's Jakot β€” an oxidative, amber-hued Tocai Friulano β€” is the contrarian move that actually holds up against Ox's bold, charred flavors. It's one of the more unusual bottles on the list and most people will scroll right past it.

β›”Skip This

Clos Saron Stone Blossom 2018

At $95 on the list versus $70 at retail, the markup is the tamest on the card β€” so this isn't a rip-off, exactly. But if you're spending nearly a hundred dollars at a wood-fired steakhouse, you can probably find a bottle here that's more interesting for the money. Save Stone Blossom for a bottle shop night at home.

🍽️Perfect Pairing

Radikon Jakon + Bone marrow

The richness of roasted marrow needs something with enough acid and texture to cut through the fat without disappearing. Radikon's oxidative style and grippy structure do exactly that β€” it's the kind of pairing that sounds weird on paper and makes total sense in your mouth.

🍷Half-Price Wine Night

Monday β€” Half-price bottles on select list after 9pm.

🎲 The Bottom Line

Ox is a steakhouse for people who don't trust steakhouse wine lists, and that's exactly what makes it worth going out of your way for. Show up on a Monday after 9pm, grab a half-price bottle of something from Jura, and let the fire do the rest.

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