2023 Salo Chardonnay

The Salo Chardonnay is a collaboration between renowned winemakers Steve Flamsteed and Dave Mackintosh. As always, this wine hails from the Full Moon Vineyard in the cooler Gladysdale area of the Upper Yarra Valley. The vineyard's mature vines, rooted in rich, red volcanic soils, benefit from the site's higher elevation and cooler climate, resulting in a Chardonnay with exceptional flavour and tension.

In the winery, the approach is minimalistic yet thoughtful. The grapes are hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed into old, large-format oak barrels. Fermentation is driven by wild yeasts, it goes through full malo and even so, the finished wine is still decidedly fresh and nervy in style.

The 2023 vintage shows classic Salo reductive flint on the nose, lime and stone fruit aromas, alongside subtle notes of apple pie and toasted nuts. The palate is beautifully textured with a creamy oatmeal note, pristine racy acidity and beautiful texture. It's one of the most moreish Chardonnays in the Yarra Valley.

The last few vintages have sold out in short order as this wine has developed its own following. Just 244 dozen produced, so jump on this as soon as you can.

96 points
"From the Full Moon Vineyard in Gladysdale. Wild ferment and 100% mlf. There's only one wine from winemakers and friends Steve Flamsteed and Dave Mackintosh, and it's always a good 'un. A bright green gold. There's aromas of ripe stone fruits together with some savoury and complex briny notes. On the palate, this has lots of flavour and punch, finishing long with a refreshing touch of grip. Delicious now and over the next 4–6 years."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points
"A quiet and gentle chardonnay of suppleness, creamy flow, soft citrus fruit characters, red apple sweet-sourness and a lick of almond, nougat and vanilla in the mix. An undertow of barely there but refreshing saline acidity does a nice trick too. This feels very even, subtle in its general sense and yet persists beautifully and with freshness with each sip. Classy, understated and delicious."
- Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

"The 2023 is the most balanced and delicious wine we’ve made."
- Steve Flamsteed