Pasadena might have the most vibrant wine bar offerings at the moment in L.A. area, with Noir Food & Wine on N. Mentor getting a solid 2-star nod from Virbila, and celebrated wine "guru" David Haskell overseeing the wine program at Vertical Wine Bistro. However, for something a bit more casual, but still impressive, Pasadena wine drinkers will relish the new Wine Detective, a small wine bar with an easy Enomatic system that'll delight everyone from novices to connoisseurs.
Located along a "foodie" block, across from the celebrated Green Street Restaurant and the new Counter burger, Wine Detective hides behind specialty food and cookware retailers like Michael Chiarello's Napa Style and Williams-Sonoma. Wine Detective is perched on a nook overlooking the back alley with a decidedly modern feel and high-ceilinged industrial chic.
I was invited here by one of the principal owners, Lev Gertsik, who along with 3 other partners, compiled the extensive wine list, as well as the small menu of "pintxos", charcuterie, and cheeses. I haven't had the chance to venture over to Pourtal in Santa Monica, but I have had the numerous tastes available at Wine House over in West LA. For those who want to try a lot of wines in one sitting, the Enomatic system is perfect.
Basically all you have to do is stick in a card on a slot near the top of the machine, and pick a wine. Wines have prices ranging as low as $2 an ounce (or perhaps even lower) to up to $8.00 for the premium wines. There are 32 red wines to taste, all available on nifty circular Enomatics, two of which range the main tasting room. Along the far side of the wall are 16 white wines, including a rare Kistler chardonnay available for tasting (they're unable to sell the wine by the bottle because of a distribution agreement). Each bottle of wine available for tasting comes with a display card showing pertinent specs of the wine, as well as the price and tasting notes.
I got a chance to taste something like 10 wines, so I honestly cannot remember every single one, but I can tell you that tasting wines is very easy (or even fun!). I started with the white wines, which featured solid offerings from France and Spain. I always love me some Sancerre (white wine based on Sauvignon Blanc grapes).
When I ventured over to red wines, I started with Italian and Spanish reds such as Brunello di Montalcino and Tempranillo. I also enjoyed some new world Syrah, such as K Vintners 2007 Syrah. I finished the meal with a lineup of Rieslings, including Zind Humbrecht Pinor Gris. I liked the fact that they were using high-quality Schott Zwiesel glasses.
Along with the wines came a slew of dishes that are impressive considering the space's lack of legitimate kitchen. We had a trio of cheeses including a cow's milk cheese from Italy, a goat's milk cheese from France, and a Pecorino. They came with standard accoutrements of quince paste, dried fig, and marcona almonds. All three of these cheeses were easy to eat, pairing very nicely with the wine.
A trio of charcuteries included sorpressata, spicy chorizo, and serrano ham. All were fresh (as in, haven't been sitting around too long). A quenelle of whole-grain mustard came as accoutrement. We also had a lineup of duck, including spicy duck salami, duck prosciutto (made from the breast), and pate of foie gras.
I loved the pintxos (pronounced "peench-oh"), small bites which are often offered by the dozens in Spanish tapas bars. Serrano ham paired with manchego cheese and oven-roasted tomatoes was another delicious bite, with the tart tomatoes cutting the rich serrano. Next was boquerones, or white anchovies and piquillo pepper atop crisp cucumber slices and brie cheese. Smoked salmon was topped with cucumber and a clever dollop of salmon caviar (ikura). Buffalo mozzerela was laced gently with balsamic, chiffonaded basil, and roasted tomatoes. Last was a country pate topped with cucumber slices and piquillo pepper. The bread undergirding each pintxo were slices of soft country bread, which didn't overwhelm each flavorful bite.
Wine Detective
146 S. Lake Ave, #109,
Pasadena CA 91101
(626) 792-9936
Note: This meal was hosted by Gertsik
8 comments:
Looks like a great spot. Our local wine shop has that system in place for every day wine tasting but I also love the idea of having it in wine bars so you can do customized flights and smaller pours.
Thanks for the initial report; and agreed on the wine bar jumpstart in Pasadena, I'm tempted to put together a walking tour of the major players in the Lake Ave / Old Town area.
Matt, sounds like an interesting spot. Is it a free-for-all, or do the owners provide direction with their wines?
Of course, we provide directions - we have 48 wines to taste which may seem a little overwhelming. Our resident wine experts are always here to help!
It's like the yogurtland of wine tastings—and I mean it in the best possible way. Would love to go next time I'm in the area.
The pinxtos look delightful, and I love the enomatic system, got to play with one of those in Bakersfield, of all places. The interactivity is intriguing and an excellent approach for the kinesthetic oenephile.
If HC puts together a wine bar walking tour in Pas, I am in.
Oh, I have to get up there. It really is close to San Pedro, just up the 110. I am motivated by this post. Thanks Matt.
LL
This looks to be a nice little wine bar in just a few blocks from my work. Very nice!
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