2025 Salo Chardonnay

Gorgeously refined and beautifully fleshed with a long, sophisticated and gently creamed finish.

Made by former Giant Steps winemaker Steve Flamsteed, fruit is sourced from the Full Moon Vineyard which is located high in the southern hills of the Yarra Valley on the eastern side of the Gladysdale subregion. It’s one of the only vineyards in the vicinity, and the grapes ripen remarkably evenly despite its west-facing aspect. “It’s a ripper site for Chardonnay,” according to Flamsteed.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Showing impressive intensity and complexity, the nose is filled with white peach, nectarine, subtle dried honey and biscuity nougat aromas which are complimented by whiffs of cashew, crème brulee and spice. Gorgeously refined and beautifully fleshed, the mid weighted palate is generously endowed with white peach, nectarine and pear fruits. Lending further sophistication are subtle dried honey, biscuity nougat, cashew and spice elements. Perfectly balanced acidity with a long, gently creamed finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews…..
From the Full Moon vineyard in Gladysdale, which, sadly (and in a sign of the times), has been pulled out by the owner. Salo has another vineyard lined up for '26. In the meantime, this is an excellent way to go out. Brightly coloured with aromas of nectarine kernel, citrus peel, flint and light marine scents. There's a gentle creaminess on the well-weighted palate that finishes chalky, tensile and long. A lovely wine to drink now and over the next four to six years at least. Drink by 2032.
96+ Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

Fruit is from the Full Moon vineyard on red and brown volcanic soils in Gladysdale. This will be the last bottling from this site as the wine moves forward into its next vineyard chapter, more to come on this. It is whole bunch pressed, gravity fed to seasoned puncheons on full solids. Wild fermentation, 50% went through malolactic fermentation. This is a wine that chimes with high florals, a waft of wattle blossom and honeysuckle. Yellow plums, white peaches and just ripe mandarin skin. There is a river stream running over blue washed stone and white pumice. Folded whipped meringue and young almond mid pate creaminess that perfectly suits the buoyancy of citrus and flowers. Alive, pulsating with energy and verve. Drink now with angel hair pasta and sweet swimmer crab meat or cellar for another 8-10 years further, this will go the distance providing further milky tones and Marcona almond flesh in time. Drink 2026-2036.
96 Points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com

Salo Chardonnay is a side project of noted winemakers Steve Flamsteed and Dave Mackintosh. It’s been going for 17 years, with most of the wines produced from the Full Moon Vineyard at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley. I’m not sure where this 2025 release was grown but it’s the same elite quality. “Side project” sounds both cool and dismissive; this is not a wine to be dismissed.
I fell for this wine from the first sip. It’s so right that I’m almost lost for words, or for the appropriate ones. It’s mellifluous, first and foremost, in the most beautiful of ways. It tastes of white peach, cream, preserved lemons, honeysuckle and lactose, though everything comes at you as one harmonious stream. I will no doubt rate wines higher, but I can’t imagine a wine that I would more like to drink. This wine is pure, liquid gorgeousness.
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - CampbellMattinson.com