Big list, big ambitions, big markups
Bellevue · Seattle · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Purple arrives like a novel — close to 100 pages, weighted with ambition and a clear message that this place takes wine seriously. Global coverage, Washington state pride, and a sommelier on staff signals that someone actually thought about this. The room matches the list: dramatic, a little theatrical, and clearly not trying to be subtle.
The list spans the globe with genuine depth — Burgundy heavyweights like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti sit alongside Napa royalty like Screaming Eagle and Opus One, plus strong domestic representation from Washington state producers. It's a list built for celebration dinners and expense accounts, not Tuesday night curiosity. The range from $50 to well north of $600 means there's technically something for everyone, but the sweet spot of interesting, approachable bottles in the $60-$100 range can get lost in the noise. Gaps in natural wine and value-driven Old World options are noticeable if you're not chasing prestige labels.
Sixty wines by the glass is genuinely impressive — that's not a by-the-glass program, that's a wine bar wearing a restaurant's clothes. Pours run $14-$22, which is reasonable given the setting and the caliber of what's on offer. We'd like to see more rotation and transparency on when bottles were opened, but the sheer depth here means you can build a serious meal one glass at a time.
Dominus Estate 2021 — $195
At $195, Dominus is retailing around $110 — so yes, there's a markup, but for a bottle of this pedigree in a room this polished, it's the most honest ticket on a list that trends expensive. Great structured Napa red for a big steak night.
Opus One
Everyone knows the name, but most people skip it assuming it's all hype. At a place like Purple with proper storage and stem game, this is actually worth ordering — it's a benchmark bottle that delivers if you've never had it in the right setting.
Château Margaux 2019
At $650 on the list versus ~$350 at retail, this is an 86% markup on a bottle that doesn't need the restaurant's help to be great. If you want to drink Margaux, buy it at a shop and pay the corkage.
Sassicaia 2020 + Dry-aged ribeye
Sassicaia's Cabernet-forward structure and Tuscan intensity cut right through the fat on a dry-aged ribeye — it's the kind of pairing that makes both the wine and the steak better. At $280 it's not cheap, but split across the table it makes sense.
Monday — Half-off selected bottles of wine at the Woodinville location only. The Seattle Downtown and Stone Way locations do not have a listed half-price wine night.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Purple is doing a lot right — enormous list, knowledgeable staff, 60 BTG options — but the markup structure leans hard into the prestige trap, and your wallet will feel it. Go for the by-the-glass program or a special occasion, not a casual midweek pour.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.