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What is the Smidge Wines Trial (SWT)?

At Smidge, we often run small-scale trials during vintage—playing with time on skins, ferment temperatures, and other variables. Most of these experiments stay behind the scenes, part of our ongoing process of trial and error to discover what works best. But every now and then, a trial zeroes in on a single variable with more intent, giving us a clearer window into the impact of that one decision.

The results are perfect for anyone curious about the tools and techniques winemakers use to shape a wine’s character. Better still, they’re an ideal excuse to gather a few like-minded friends, taste together, and swap notes.


What is SWT23R?

In 2023, with a cool vintage, a section of our estate Shiraz in Willunga, with low sugar and good flavour, 600kg was hand picked and processed into three small ferments of 200kg each. The fruit itself was destemmed only and then stalks (rachis) were added back to the fermenters at the following equivalent rates...Three levels, 0%, 25% and 50%. Ferment temperature was allowed to peak at 28C, plunged twice per day and total time on skins was 19 days.

Pressed independently through a small basket press and matured separately in stainless steel kegs for 3 months prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Why SWT23R - Not overly imaginative. SWT = Smidge Wine Trial 23 = Vintage 2023 R = Rachis

Vintage 2023 - How it started


Hear directly from Matt. In this short video, Matt has just picked the fruit, and speaks about the reasons behind SWT23R.



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Tasting Notes

Check out the video below as Matt tastes each wine and discusses his insights into the varying impact of rachis. 


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SWT 0%

Dark chocolate coated raspberries, sweet spices and iodine on the nose lead into a sleek and savoury palate with an umami-like twist: it's very savoury. A wave of fine tannins washes over and leaves a drying sensation. This is an edge of seriousness to it that needs time for the fruit to emerge 12 Feb 2024 (GP)

SWT 25%

Vanilla and kelp mix with top notes of raspberry and rose on the nose. A funnel of dark red berries and savoury bitter chocolate tannins leads the charge. There's life and buoyancy to the ripe and rich fruit. The structure is firm yet enmeshed with the wine, finishing with a saline twist. It's a very appealing shiraz. 12 Feb 2024 (GP)

SWT 50%

Heady spice notes and bramble aromas. With air, subtle florals emerge. The palate is structured tannins ribbing around the core of sour red cherries and raspberries. There's structure over fruit at the moment, although the tannins are very fine. It needs time as there's an anchor of ripe fruit ready to emerge 12 Feb 2024 (GP

Analysis

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Reviews

Confidently Made Wine
" Full of the joys of youth. Plentiful, bouyant, ripe, dark fruit, softly finished with a touch of fine spice, smooth earthy tannins, and exhibiting good length. This is a confidently made wine from a good vintage.."- 93 points

DM Wine Panel

Immediately appealing

"It's immediately appealing on the nose showing black/blueberry, floral, hazelnut and subtle spice notes, followed by a wonderfully flavoursome palate that's generous and delectable. Fleshy, smooth and persistent with excellent fruit weight and splendid complexity. At its best: now to 2030 - 94 Points

2018 McLaren Vale Shiraz - Wine Orbit - Sam Kim

Smooth Rounded Shiraz

A smooth and well rounded shiraz from the McLaren Vale that is beautiful drinking and shows great winemaking skills. Worth grabbing a couple of bottles

Kylie C ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommend
"I love a Cabernet & this is a great one. It loves a bit of time in the glass. Excellent Value. Can recommend

Jo

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic

 Great drop! Served this at a dinner party last weekend and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dave

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Picked a winner with this buy, a very good wine
 08 November 2020 - Sydney

I picked this as on an impulse. It fruit forward with a fine and firm finish. I think allowing it to breath adds to the wine, allows he flavours to mingle and express. Enjoyed with a rare rump steak but it would also go nicely with cheese. Overall a wine I will buy again.

 I would recommend to a friend

Zoom Zoom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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