Arfion's Dave MacKintosh and ex-Giant Steps' Steve Flamsteed have united once more to produce a brilliant 2025 Chardonnay from Salo, in what will unfortunately be the label's final release from the Full Moon Vineyard in Gladysdale, Yarra Valley. While Salo will find a new home in 2026, what better way to see off Full Moon than with a Chardonnay this layered, expressive and compelling in the glass.
Salo has always sat slightly outside the regional norm. Since the project began in 2008, the brief has been clear make Yarra Chardonnay with weight, power and structure, while still letting site and season do the talking. That spirit remains intact here, and the 2025 is a beautifully resolved expression of it.
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 and aromas of nectarine kernel, citrus peel, flint and light marine scents. Folded whipped meringue and young almond creaminess that perfectly suits the buoyancy of citrus and flowers. Alive, pulsating with energy and verve.