The Vermilion Club
California Cabernet Hits Every Mark Here
Financial District · Boston · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 15, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at The Vermilion Club reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished Financial District steakhouse — California-heavy, brand-name familiar, and built to reassure rather than surprise. There's nothing here that'll make your jaw drop, but there's also nothing embarrassing about it. It's the kind of list that closes deals and celebrates promotions without anyone breaking a sweat.
Selection Deep Dive
The list runs 150-250 bottles deep with a clear California-first philosophy — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Far Niente, and Opus One are all present and accounted for, which is basically the Mount Rushmore of steakhouse Cab. Duckhorn shows up on the Merlot side, and Cakebread holds down Chardonnay duties reliably. What you won't find is much range beyond California — if you're hunting Barolo, aged Rioja, or even a stray Willamette Valley Pinot, this isn't your list. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2025, and the California depth earns it, even if the breadth doesn't push beyond comfort.
By the Glass
With 12-20 pours by the glass, there's enough here to navigate a full dinner without committing to a bottle. Expect the usual suspects — a Cakebread Chardonnay, something from the Cabernet bench seats. The rotation doesn't appear to change much, so don't count on a surprise seasonal pour showing up.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $90
Jordan is consistently one of the best-priced quality Cabs in the steakhouse world — elegant, food-friendly, and never trying too hard. It tends to be the smart play when Silver Oak is lurking right next to it at a significant premium.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at the table is going to order Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked constantly. That's a mistake — it's a genuinely serious wine that holds its own with red meat and usually comes in at a lower price point than the Cab heavyweights on the same list.
Opus One
It's Opus One at a steakhouse, which means you're paying a serious markup on top of an already expensive bottle for the privilege of saying you ordered Opus One. The wine is legitimately great, but the value equation at this type of venue rarely makes sense — the Jordan or Stag's Leap drink nearly as well for a fraction of the damage.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
Counterintuitive, but Stag's Leap runs leaner and more structured than your typical steakhouse Cab — less jammy, more restrained — which means it doesn't bulldoze delicate shrimp the way Caymus might. Start there before your steak arrives and you'll understand why this winery has been winning since 1976.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Vermilion Club isn't trying to reinvent the steakhouse wine list, and it doesn't need to — the California depth is real, the execution is consistent, and it delivers exactly what a power-lunch crowd in the Financial District wants. Just know what you're walking into: this is Cab country, the markups are steakhouse-standard steep, and adventurous wine drinkers should calibrate expectations accordingly.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.