Tasting Notes: Side Projects Poured at Winemakers Studio

On June 2, Shinn Vineyard winemaker Anthony Nappa unofficially opened The Winemakers Studio, a tasting room that will showcase side projects from a few East End winemakers.

North Fork Patch was there .

Below are Patch's tasting notes on a few of the wines poured there, a varied assortment of some of the lesser-known labels in this wine region.

Winemaker: Anthony Nappa,

2010 Anomaly - White Pinot Noir: $19

Citrus aromas mix with hints of gooseberry and lemongrass. Very tart and austere on the palate with loads of lemon and white grapefruit flavors. Great acidity.

2010 Luminous - Riesling: $18

Fresh floral aromas mingle with scents of wildflower honey and perfumy apricot. On the palate, look for flavors of peach, red grapefruit and orange rind. Zippy acidity balances the off-dry residual sweetness well.

2010 Spezia - Gewürztraminer: $18

Spicy aromas of cardamom and coriander mix with floral, fig, orange and super-ripe peach fruit. Tart mouth-puckering flavors of lemon, grapefruit and key lime mix with peach fruit, floral notes and a slightly peppery finish.

Winemaker: John Leo,

2007 Leo Family Red - Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot: $40

Herbal and cedary aromas are bolstered by plum and cherry fruit and hints of woodsy oak. Forest floor flavors also fill the palate, along with tobacco, cherry, black raspberry, vanilla and even faint touches of butterscotch. The earthy and oaky flavors linger on the finish. Not very tannic. Velvety.

Winemaker: Russell Hearn, and

2010 Riesling - Made from Finger Lakes Fruit: $15

Perfumy and floral, with fresh peach fruit. On the palate, lemon, lime and nectarine flavors balance the lingering sweetness. Refreshing.

2010 SUHRU Pinot Grigio - Made from Finger Lakes Fruit: $15

Aromas of lime and grapefruit mingle with grassy and chalky notes. On the palates, flavors include pithy lemon, grass and gravel. Tart and zippy.

2010 SUHRU Rose - A Blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot: $15

Very tutti-fruity nose, almost candy-like, with hints of banana runt and bubble gum. On the palate, raspberry fruit mixes with tart strawberry. Citrus emerges on tart finish.

2008 SUHRU Red - A Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot: $20

Deep cherry and raspberry fruit dominate the nose, very fruit forward. On the palate, Bing cherry, plum and raspberry are balanced with a faint smokiness and that mineral-cedar finish that is so common in Long Island wines. It's fairly soft, and the flavors linger on the finish. Very approachable.

2009 SUHRU Shiraz - (Hearn is allowed to call it Shiraz, he's Australian): $20

Aromas of white pepper interlace with blackberry and stewed cherry fruit. On the palate, plum and dried raspberry blend with leathery notes, more pepper flavors and a smoky, clove-laced finish. A nice blend of Old World complexity with juicy fruit and a medium body.