California Cab Classics, No Surprises Whatsoever
Harbor Boulevard · Anaheim · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here reads exactly like you'd expect from a national steakhouse with a corporate wine director — heavy California, polished presentation, and enough recognizable names to make the convention crowd feel right at home. It's confident without being adventurous, which is either reassuring or boring depending on your mood. If you've eaten at a Ruth's Chris anywhere in the country, you already know this list.
Napa and Sonoma Cabernet dominate the proceedings, anchored by the usual suspects: Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, and Duckhorn, with The Prisoner showing up for guests who want something with a label that sounds edgy but really isn't. Cakebread and Rombauer cover the Chardonnay crowd, which they will do enthusiastically and at prices that reflect their Yelp-famous status. There's Old World representation — Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne via Veuve Clicquot — but it feels like a supporting cast, not a reason to visit. Oregon Pinot and Washington blends round things out, giving the list geographic breadth without any real depth in those categories.
Roughly 18 to 25 pours by the glass puts this ahead of most steakhouses in sheer volume, running $15 to $22 a pop. The selections skew predictably Californian, but having Rombauer and Duckhorn available by the glass means you're not stuck with anonymous house wine while you wait for your filet. Rotation appears minimal — this is a set-and-forget program that changes with corporate, not the seasons.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley — $85
Jordan consistently outperforms its price point at restaurants like this. It's approachable, food-friendly, and doesn't require a second mortgage the way Caymus does once you're staring down a $65+ steak.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley
Everyone at this table is ordering Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot is sitting quietly in the wings being ignored. It's richer and softer than most of the Cabs on this list and actually handles the sizzling crab cakes better than a big tannic red would.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Caymus is fine wine that has become a $100+ restaurant markup magnet. You're paying a serious premium for a bottle that retails around $85 because it's the name every table orders on autopilot. There are better Cabs on this list for less money.
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros + Sizzling Crab Cakes
Rombauer's big, buttery Carneros Chardonnay was basically engineered for rich, sauced seafood. The crab cakes arrive in butter and the wine meets them there — it's one of the few no-brainer pairings on a list that otherwise wants you ordering Cabernet with everything.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris Anaheim does exactly what a reliable steakhouse wine program should do — proper storage, proper glass, knowledgeable staff, and a list full of wines people recognize and trust. Just don't come here looking for discovery; come here to drink something good with a very good steak, and manage your expectations on the markup.
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