Steak wants tannin and structure. My go-to's on this list: Zuccardi Q Malbec from Mendoza, a classic California Cabernet, or an Australian Shiraz like Elderton when you want smoke and pepper with the char. All three cut fat, all three love a ribeye.
By Michael Bottigliero, Certified Sommelier (WSET Advanced), Founder of Bottles Nation.
Achaval-Ferrer · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: One of the best, elegant, mineral driven Malbecs you can get at the price
Agua de Piedra · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Bold, dark Mendoza fruit, hard-working value.
Alamos (Catena) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Classic Andean grit, punchy plum value.
Altaland (Catena Family) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plush high-altitude berry, blue-collar legend by Catena.
Altos Las Hormigas · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Pure, unvarnished Mendoza plum; zero heavy oak.
Antigal · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Velvety Uco plum, no-nonsense barbecue buddy.
Argento · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Dark berry core, rugged Mendoza value, anytime.
Argiano · Sangiovese · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Earthistic Tuscan powerhouse, worth every single penny.
Argiano · Red Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Robust Tuscan blackberry, great structure, stellar value.
Bardos · Tempranillo · Red · Spain
Michael's take: Fresh black fruit, stony Ribera mineral, high-altitude tension.
Batzella · Red Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Juicy wild berry, bright Tuscan spice, everyday Bolgheri soul.
Belasco de Baquedano · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Ripe, smoky blackberry, velvety Mendoza grip, old-school value.
Bodega Norton · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Deep plum, dark chocolate, structured Luján de Cuyo value.
Bodegas Renacer · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Juicy dark plum, dark chocolate undertones, smooth everyday Mendoza value.
Browne Family Vineyards · Cabernet Sauvignon · Red · USA
Michael's take: Bold blackberry jam, toasted cedar box, muscular Columbia Valley structure.
Caiarossa · Red Blend · Red · Italy
Michael's take: Inky black cherry, dried Mediterranean rosemary, muscular, seamless Super Tuscan complexity.
Canvasback (Duckhorn) · Cabernet Sauvignon · Red · USA
Michael's take: Dusk blackberry, crushed iron minerality, structured, muscular Red Mountain power.
Bodegas CARO (Catena & Lafite) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plush dark plum, crushed violet petals, fresh, unseasoned high-altitude Mendoza purity.
Catena · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plush dark blackberry, sweet violet petals, hints of dark chocolate, classic high-altitude Mendoza balance.
Chateau Branaire-Ducru · Bordeaux Blend (Cab-dominant) · Red · France
Michael's take: Sleek black currant, graphite, dried tobacco leaf, elegant, finely textured Saint-Julien precision.
Susana Balbo (Crios) · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plump black cherry, juicy crushed blackberry, sweet baking spice, vibrant and accessible Mendoza energy.
Cruz Alta · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Plump dark plum, savory cocoa powder, subtle sweet tobacco, rich and velvety Mendoza warmth.
David Franz · Shiraz · Red · Australia
Michael's take: Dense dark blackberry, savory black olive tapenade, sweet vanilla bean, rich, robust, old-school Barossa brawn.
DeLille Cellars · Merlot/Cab Blend (Bordeaux-style) · Red · USA
Michael's take: Dense black cherry, savory dried sage, subtle dark chocolate shavings, plush, structured, textbook Columbia Valley Bordeaux-style grip.
DeLille Cellars · Cabernet Sauvignon · Red · USA
Michael's take: Juicy blackberry, dark plum, savory dried sage, supple and fruit-forward Columbia Valley structure.
Double Canyon · Cabernet Sauvignon · Red · USA
Michael's take: Plump blackcurrant, dark plum flesh, savory dried oregano, muscular and tightly coiled Horse Heaven Hills frame.
Elderton · Shiraz · Red · Australia
Michael's take: Rich blackberry jam, dark chocolate shavings, savory licorice root, opulent, velvety, beautifully aged classic Barossa power.
Post & Beam (Far Niente) · Cabernet Sauvignon · Red · USA
Michael's take: Polished black cherry, crushed blackberry, savory cedar shaving, supple, elegant, bright and pure Napa Valley classicism.
Don Miguel Gascon · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Ripe dark plum, juicy blackberry bramble, savory cocoa powder, soft, fleshy, velvety Mendoza plushness.
Don Miguel Gascon · Malbec · Red · Argentina
Michael's take: Dense dark plum, blackberry compote, savory dark chocolate, hints of toasted vanilla, muscular, velvety, concentrated Mendoza power
A Napa or Mendoza Cabernet, or a serious Malbec like Zuccardi Q. You want tannin to cut through the fat and enough fruit to stand up to the char. A ribeye is a big steak — pick a big wine. This is not the night for a delicate Pinot.
Yes — and it's not a myth. Malbec has plush fruit, soft tannin, and enough backbone to handle grilled beef without fighting it. It's also the best value on most steakhouse lists. A good Argentine Malbec at $18-$25 outperforms Cabernets twice the price.
You can, but you probably shouldn't. If you must, a rich oaked Chardonnay with a butter-basted filet works. For any grilled or charred cut, red is the answer — the tannin does something white simply can't.
Ask in your own words - dinner, occasion, budget - and get 2-3 bottles straight from Michael's list.