Published on February 26, 2026
Michele Chiarlo, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Spotswoode
When we ask friends what wine they would pair with a steak, their obvious answer is red. But what might not be as obvious is that not all red wines pair perfectly with steak. There’s a bit of basic chemistry involved when choosing the right wine. Tannins, which are compounds in wine present in grape seeds, grape skins, and oak barrels offer a drying or astringent quality on the tongue and gums. Steak’s natural levels of fat and protein provide a lubricating or moist feeling so that when wine and steak combine in the mouth the astringent and moist qualities strike a balance and create an enjoyable sensation. Then science kicks in: Molecules in the steak’s fat make the tannins more pliable and produce softer, smoother sensations, while the wine’s tannins mellow out the fat and thereby coax more flavor out of the meet. Who said chemistry and science weren’t fun?
Cabernet Sauvignon and grilled steaks are the ultimate partnership, so we’ve included four for you to enjoy. But Barolo, Côtes du Rhone, and Zinfandel are also great matches. While Barolo can only come from Piedmont and Côtes du Rhone can only come from France we particularly like this Zinfandel from Sonoma. So when you’re at the steakhouse or making a big slab of beef at home, reach for one of these great wines that pair with steak.
Michele Chiarlo 2020 Cerequio Barolo
Image Credit: Michele Chiarlo
The first time we had dinner with Michele Chiarlo over 15 years ago, we realized we were with a mover, shaker, and an innovator in the traditional world of Barolo winemaking. We were sad to hear of his passing in 2023 having reached 88 years dedicated to wine but are happy to know his son Stefano has taken the reins. His 2020 Cerequio Barolo is as beautiful as ever with aromas of black cherry, cassis, rose petals, and just a hint of lifted peppermint. It is voluptuous on the palate with flavors of licorice, black currant, cherry, and rolled tobacco leaf swathed in silky tannins.
Lamborn Family Vineyards 2023 Somers Ranch Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
Image Credit: Lamborn Family Vineyards
The Lamborn family has been making wines in Napa Valley and have remained a small family winery producing quality wine for the last five decades. Many of their wines are made by superstar winemaker Heidi Barrett but for this Sonoma Zinfandel they enlisted Heidi and Bo Barrett’s daughter, Chelsea, and we think she’s done an amazing job. This 100 percent Zinfandel is made from fruit grown in a single vineyard at Somers Ranch in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Aged in 25 percent new American oak for 18 months before bottling, it is garnet-purple in the glass and has enticing aromas of red raspberry, Bing cherry, and red plum. Flavors of blueberry, black plum, dark chocolate, and a touch of black licorice are wrapped in velvety tannins that dissipate into a finish that goes on and on.
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
Image Credit: Spottswoode
Founders Jack Novak and Mary Weber Novak fell in love with Spottswoode Estate on a trip to Napa Valley. They are one of the first families to introduce organic grape growing in Napa Valley and Mary was one of the first women to bring their daughters into a Napa Valley family wine business. Their 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon has lifted aromas of crushed violet and cedar followed by black raspberry and red plum. It has plush, rounded tannins and flavors of mixed dark berries, cassis, and black plum.
Chappellet 2022 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Image Credit: Chappellet
In 1967 Molly and Donn Chappellet purchased their Pritchard Hill estate and started planting vines after consulting with Napa wine legend André Tchelistcheff. One of the first families to cultivate grapes at high altitude in the valley, they were pioneers in what is today considered normal winegrowing. We’ve been fans of their wines for years and particularly enjoyed the 2022. It has aromas of ripe cherry, black raspberry, graphite, and espresso bean with fine tannins and flavors of black raspberry, cassis, black cherry, crushed violet petals, and with just a touch of espresso in the long finish.
Baldacci Family Vineyards 2018 Stella Knight Vineyard Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Image Credit: Baldacci Family Vineyards
Baldacci Family Vineyards was founded by Brenda and Thomas Baldacci in 1998 and today their son Michael continues the legacy of fine winemaking, striving to craft bottles that reflect the distinct terroir in which they are grown while maintaining strict sustainability standards. His 2018 Stella Knight Vineyard is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in Calistoga. It has heady aromas of tobacco leaf, saddle leather, cassis, and hints of graphite. Upon first sip you immediately notice voluptuous tannins and full-bodied mouthfeel with strong minerality and flavors of black cherry, dark plum, brown baking spices, and blueberry. But stock up while you can, as only 812 cases made.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2022 Domaine de Roure Crozes Hermitage Rouge
Image Credit: Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Paul Jaboulet Aîné purchased Domaine de Roure from the Roure family in 1996. Located in the famed Tain l’Hermitage it is one of the oldest estates there; the Syrah vines, planted in 1945, are now over seven decades old. The grapes for this delicious wine were hand-picked and sorted, then fermented for three weeks before prolonged ageing in 20 percent new French oak barrels for one year. Although the 2022 is perfect to uncork and enjoy with a ribeye, it can age for up to 20 years. It has aromas of cherry, tobacco, and crushed violet and flavors of black cherry, red raspberry, and plum.
Lail Vineyards 2023 Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon
Image Credit: Lail Vineyards
Legendary California vintner Robin Lail is a staunch supporter of sustainable vineyard practices and in 2019 was made the U.S. Ambassador the Porto Protocol, a worldwide organization that fosters transparency and leadership on climate initiatives. To that end Robin produces Blueprint wines to celebrate healthy and sustainable vineyard practices alongside winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky. Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon is dark red in the glass with aromas of cassis, cocoa powder, and blueberry. It has supple and rounded tannins and flavors of cherry, raspberry, and black currant.
Dining and Cooking