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πŸ”₯The Rager

Stars

Ocean Views, Serious Cellar, No Apologies

Chatham Β· Chatham Β· American Β· Visit Website β†—

date-nightold-world-focussplurge-worthydeep-cellar

Reviewed April 7, 2026

Wingman Metrics

List VarietySolid Range
MarkupSteep
GlasswareVarietal Specific
StaffKnowledgeable & Friendly
Specials & DealsSet & Forget
Storage & TempProper

First Impression

You're sitting above the Atlantic with panoramic views of Chatham's coastline, and the wine list arrives like it knows exactly where it is β€” polished, confident, and unapologetically California-forward. This is a resort restaurant that takes wine seriously, and Victor Pichardo's presence as sommelier on staff makes that immediately clear. Wine Spectator has had this list on their Best of Award of Excellence roster since 2022, and nothing here feels like it's coasting on that credential.

Selection Deep Dive

The list runs 200-350 bottles deep with a clear center of gravity: California Cabernet and French Burgundy are the twin pillars, and both columns are stacked with names that mean something. Opus One, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Caymus, and Jordan anchor the California side with the kind of recognizable firepower that keeps resort guests happy. France gets equal respect β€” Louis Jadot, Joseph Drouhin, and Domaine Leflaive represent Burgundy at multiple quality tiers, giving the list actual depth rather than just famous labels. The gaps are real β€” if you're hunting RhΓ΄ne, Loire, or anything outside the Franco-California axis, you'll need to lower your expectations β€” but within its focus, this list delivers.

By the Glass

With 12-20 pours available by the glass, Stars holds its own for a dining room that could easily phone this in. The selection skews toward accessible crowd-pleasers, which makes sense given the resort context, but there's enough range to find something worth drinking rather than just something to drink. Rotation appears limited β€” this reads more like a set program than a list that changes with the tides β€” but quality control is clearly a priority.

πŸ’°Best Value

Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon β€” $80

Jordan is the rare Napa-adjacent producer that still prices like it remembers what value means. In a list where bottles climb fast, Jordan gives you proper Alexander Valley Cab β€” structured, food-friendly, built for a meal β€” without requiring a second mortgage. It's the move before you reach for Opus One.

πŸ’ŽHidden Gem

Domaine Leflaive

Most tables here are ordering California red and calling it a night, which means the Domaine Leflaive β€” one of Puligny-Montrachet's greatest names β€” is sitting there being ignored. White Burgundy at this level, with lumpy crab on the table and the ocean outside the window, is exactly why this list deserves its Wine Spectator badge. Don't sleep on it.

β›”Skip This

Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Caymus is a fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in the American restaurant industry. You're paying a significant premium for a label that's become more brand than wine at this point. The list has better Napa options at more honest prices β€” use them.

🍽️Perfect Pairing

Domaine Leflaive + Lumpy Crab

Leflaive's white Burgundy β€” all mineral tension and restrained richness β€” is essentially built for sweet, delicate crab. The salinity from the wine mirrors the ocean air outside, and the creaminess of the crab fills in what the wine holds back. This is the pairing Victor Pichardo would steer you toward if you asked.

πŸ”₯ The Bottom Line

Stars is the real deal β€” a resort wine program with actual ambition, a sommelier who knows his list, and enough depth in California and Burgundy to reward guests who care. The markup stings and the list doesn't venture far from its comfort zone, but when the view is this good and the wine is this serious, it's hard to argue with the experience.

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