Los Altos Grill

These beef ribs are the most tender, flavorful, and juicy I’ve ever had. It’s easy to make good baby back ribs, but beef ribs are a whole different story. Most people associate beef ribs with huge ribs that are incredibly tough to chew. Los Altos Grill, however, has perfected them; the meat falls off the bone as you bite into it. Yum.

This is an update to our review from January 2012. If you are looking for a restaurant on the Peninsula that has great food and a wine list with mark-ups of ONLY $5 to $20 OVER RETAIL then check this place out. The problem with the Los Altos Grill is that it is always packed, but enjoy a few glasses of wine at the bar while you wait for a table, and have your elevator pitch ready because you will probably be sitting next to a high powered executive or venture capitalist. BTW – they don’t charge a corkage fee, but why bring a bottle when the wine list is loaded with compelling options.

As with all VinoServant reviews, you will see the price at the restaurant followed by the mark-up over retail, and if applicable, a rating from one of the publications listed below (2008 Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs | $36 | 1.4x | WS 91). Mark up of 1.4x translates into a retail price of $25 a bottle, Wine Spectator rated this wine 91 points and it is one of our Top Picks at Los Altos Grill.

International Wine Cellar – IWC | VinoServant Top Pick – TP | Wine Advocate – WA |
Wine Enthuisiast – WE | Wine Spectator – WS | Wilfred Wong – WW |

Top 15 Wines at Los Altos Grill

2008 Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs | $36 | 1.4x | WS 91 | TP
2010 Pride Mountain, Sonoma County, Viognier | $38 | 1.0x
2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc | $45 | 1.1x
2009 Far Niente, Estate, Chardonnay | $55 | 1.3x | WS 92
2007 Domaine Serene, Jerusalem Hill Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir | $85 | 1.0x | WS 92
2009 Frank Family, Napa Valley, Zinfandel | $29 | 1.1x
2006 Altamura, Napa Valley, Sangiovese | $55 | 1.1x | WA 92
2007 Nickel & Nickel, Suscol Ranch, Merlot | $48 | 1.2x | WS 86
2006 Robert Keenan, Cabernet Sauvignon | $35 | BELOW RETAIL | WA 90
2006 Round Pond, Cabernet Sauvignon | $45 | BELOW RETAIL | WE 92
2007 Pahlmeyer, Napa Valley, Proprietary Red | $90 | BELOW RETAIL | WA 96 & WS 95
2007 Altamura, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $95 | 1.1x | WA 95 & WS 96
2008 Darioush, Signature, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $98 | 1.1x | WA 90
2004 Dunn, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon | $130 | 1.2x | WA 94
2008 Opus One | $190 | BELOW RETAIL | WS 92 & JS 94

VINOSERVANT’S TOP WINE VALUES AT THE LOS ALTOS GRILL

Sparkling Wines

6 selections that range in price from $35 to $80

2006 Iron Horse, Wedding Cuvee | $52 | 1.3x | WA 91
Henriot, Souverain Brut, Reims, France, Non Vintage | $58 | 1.7x | WA 88

White Wines

32 selections that range in price from $24 to $76

2009 Swanson, Oakville, Pinot Grigio | $24 | 1.3x

2009 Dog Point, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc | $28 | 1.6x
2009 Cliff Lede, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $35 | 1.6x | WS 92
2010 Cakebread, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $36 | 1.4x

2009 Macrostie, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay | $32 | 1.6x
2010 Rombauer, Carneros, Chardonnay | $50 | 1.7x | WS 91
2008 Shafer, Red Shoulder Ranch, Carneros, Chardonnay | $60 | 1.3x | WS 90 | TP
2009 Brewer-Clifton, Santa Rita Hills, Chardonnay | $65 | 2.0x | WA 92
2009 Paul Hobbs, Russian River, Chardonnay | $66 | 1.7x | WA 90
2009 Kistler, Les Noisetiers, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay | $76 | 1.5x

Red Wines

88 selections that range in price from $28 to $240

2009 Sequana, Sarmento, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir | $34 | 1.1x | WS 83 | TP
2009 Romilily, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir | $40 | 1.3x
2010 Testarossa, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir | $48 | 1.2x
2009 Foxen, Santa Maria Valley, Pinot Noir | $50 | 1.4x | WS 89 | TP
2008 Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir | $55 | 1.5x | WS 86
2007 David Bruce, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir | $55 | 2.0x
2008 Radio-Coteau, La Neblina, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir | $75 | 1.5x | IWC 92
2009 Dumol, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir | $90 | 1.3x | WS 87

2006 Storry, Rusty Ride, Santa Cruz, Zinfandel | $35 | 1.3x | WW 91
2009 Rombauer, North Coast, Zinfandel | $42 | 1.4x
2008 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Zinfandel | $40 | 1.4x | WA 86
2010 Orin Swift, The Prisoner, Napa Valley, Zinfandel Blend | $42 | 1.1x | WS 90 | TP
2009 Brown Estate, Napa Valley, Zinfandel | $52 | 1.6x

2007 Showket, Sangiovese | $36 | 1.0x | TP

2007 JC Cellars, Ventana, Monterey, Syrah | $44 | 1.5x | WS 88
2009 Lewis Cellars, Ethan’s, Napa Valley, Syrah | $49 | 1.1x | WS 94 | TP

2007 Swanson, Napa Valley, Merlot | $42 | 1.7x | WA 87
2007 Paradigm Napa Valley Merlot | $54 | 1.25x
2008 Shafer, Napa Valley, Merlot | $65 | 1.5x | WA 92
2008 Pride Mountain Vineyards, Merlot | $75 | 1.3x | WA 90 & WS 88 | TP

2009 Chappellet, Mountain Cuvee, Cabernet Sauvignon | $38 | 1.5x
2007 Titus, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $55 | 1.6x | WA 86
2008 Ghost Block, Estate, Oakville, Cabernet Sauvignon | $80 | 1.5x | WS 93
2006 Silver Oak, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $150 | 1.7x | WS 88
2006 Ridge Vineyards, Montebello, Cabernet Sauvignon | $170 | 1.5x | WA 94