Dolcetto does Dallas. CJ Cup Byron Nelson, TPC Craig Ranch, May 1-4, 2025
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As diehard Giant fans we find it difficult to say anything nice about Dallas, but there’s a lot to like about the wine scene if not that execrable football team and its equally obnoxious owner (he who should not be named). Our online research was challenging given both the number of contenders and the general sprawl that is Dallas. We came away with enough options to satisfy an offensive coordinator and are certain there are plenty of others we failed to uncover on this pass. On the restaurant front, steak seems to rule, which is no surprise, and while the Wine Spectator has given out 21 awards in the area, most are big chains or don’t post an online list we can confirm. Not so for Pappas Bros and Monarch, both of which have astonishing lists that stand above the crowd.
Restaurants:
Pappas Bros. steakhouse, with an outlet in Dallas and two locations in Houston, is flat out the best wine list we could find and ranks with the top destinations we’ve uncovered elsewhere. It’s down, it’s up, it’s good.
Monarch also has list worth cheering about. It boasts enormous breadth and depth particularly in the most esteemed Old World regions. Burgundy is rock solid and there appears to be about a 25 vintage vertical of Mouton Rothschild dating back to 1945. Prices for these top-tier wines are semi-astronomical, but if you search there are many attractive options under $100.
Love it or hate it you can’t deny the greatness of the Carbone Dallas list. It is absolutely jam-packed with Italian All Stars. The Tuscany section goes on for weeks, including one of the biggest Brunello offerings I’ve ever seen. There’s plenty of excitement at the high end of other classic regions, like a full page of DRC. I don’t think I could afford to eat here, but if you’re ready to splurge, they have you covered. If you want to gape at grapes: Wine List.
There’s a great Italian-leaning list at Dolce Riviera, but don’t feel you’re limited as there is plenty to cheer about in other regions. Prices are excellent, with tons of modestly priced options in fun Italian appellations and grapes. Three older vintages of Giuseppe Rinaldi Brunate Le Coste dating back to 2001 are priced right about retail, if that gives you any indication. The seven vintages of Petrus are somewhat more expensive…
It’s no gamble to “raise the steaks” at Dakotas. It’s a Cali cab lover’s paradise with decent representation around the world. They use an interesting convention I rarely see, which brings available smaller and larger size bottles right into each grouping, as opposed to separate sections.
No-see-ums
The famous Mansion on Turtle Creek is rumored to have a big, expensive list of some 700 labels but not a single one is visible online.
Al Biernat’s is a Wine Spectator Award Winner but doesn’t post a list. At least they give you a link if you want to request a copy, which as they say in golf, is “better than most.”
Sachet’s list is a small, well-curated alternative to some of the higher end spots mentioned above. Its unique organizing principle takes you to the East, Central, or Western Mediterranean, and delightful surprises await in regions like Croatia, Slovenia and Greece. Prices are very good. Golfers beware: New World Wines need not apply. Note: in 2025 they took the list offline. That’s a no-no.
Grailey’s bills itself as a “country club for wine lovers”, so they qualify automatically here. What that actually means is a bit of a mystery, but it seems like a place to gather with like-minded oil and cattle barons and drink the world’s best wines. This probably warrants some additional research and we know just the guy for the job.
Retail:
Spec’s, with outlets all over Texas, has beaucoup wine on its website and allows you to filter by store, although we question the accuracy of such since the site itself appears to be operated by chipmunks on treadmills, or maybe the Cowboy offense in the playoffs. Make sure you start any search with “Explore all wines” from the top menu or you won’t be able to find Burgundy at all.
Pogo’s has a huge selection online, although I can’t speak to what you’ll find in store. Need a magnum of Petrus for the final round? No problem. It appears to lean a little more towards well-known names than artisanal producers, but we aren’t complaining.
