This week we give a sneak peek into two emerging new domaines I had the recent opportunity to taste.

Like me, you may never have heard of Nina Saulnier before, as she has just started her career with ‘Les Monts’, but you have likely heard of Pierre Vincent since the waves he made at Domaine Leflaive and Domaine de la Vougeraie! He now leads Domaine Pierre Vincent. Read on to find out a bit more about why to take note of them in 2026.

Both just released their inaugural 2023 vintages, offering a rare opportunity to discover these new domaines so early in the making.

You can expect to see these names more often as wine enthusiasts around the world start picking up on their talent, recognizing their products for what they are: modern visions of traditional wine production methods.

Les Monts 

Ever wondered what a wine made from a pure, never-before-exploited plot would taste like? Search no further: “Les Crucibées” is Nina Saulnier’s monopole and largest plot located near Pernand-Vergelesses in the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. Its uniqueness comes from its high elevation of 450 meters, which brings acidity and freshness to the wine’s body.

It needs to be said that the plot was previously used as pastureland. It has never seen any chemicals, and Nina intends for it to remain that way. The wines are free of any additives, which explains its smoothness and clarity; there is nothing overbearing on the palate - quite the opposite, actually.

Having studied and interned under Jean-Jacques Confuron and Perrot-Minot, Nina is the embodiment of taking the best Burgundian methods and trying her hand at reinterpreting them.

This results in two wines, Les Monts – Les Crucibées Blanc and Les Crucibées Red, that are the embodiment of what you would expect from a typical Burgundian wine.

They are a sure choice and will deliver on their promise of taking your dinner to the next level. The Pinot Noir is velvety and gourmand, enveloping your senses, while the Chardonnay is fleshy and creamy, leaving you wanting more.

Both are generous, with enough acidity and body to pair well with local cuisine, or if you fancy it, or fine cuisine alike.

Pierre Vincent

Pierre Vincent has established his own domaine after a career at Domaine Leflaive and Domaine de la Vougeraie.

This alone should suffice to give you an idea of how experienced and talented he is.

Now he starts a new adventure, with the acquisition of plots from Meursault to Chassagne-Montrachet, including Puligny-Montrachet and even a cornerstone in Corton-Charlemagne.

Moreover, the estate possesses vines averaging 60 years old, with the oldest reaching centennial status in 2029, not falling short of other domaines’ depth and history.

Pierre follows an ‘haute couture’ philosophy, where excellence is found in the restraint of the cellar. In practice, that means minimal intervention, using limited new oak and incorporating ceramic amphorae for specific white wines to maintain the essence of the fruit. This focus on purity is mirrored in the vineyard, where the estate is transitioning to biodynamics.

His mission is simple: “I have always worked with passion to make wines of the greatest possible purity, that fully reflect their terroir and their vintage."

The result is an impressive portfolio of 20 cuvées that emphasize clarity and terroir. 

Reflecting on a recent tasting, I would describe the experience as a warm visit to the pastry shop (which for a Frenchman is really saying a lot!). It is comforting and brings pastry notes such as butter and even pie crust to balance the minerality of the appellation. The body of the wine takes up space and lingers on your palate even after you are done savoring it, making sure you come back for another bite.

It needs to be emphasized that this is a limited and unique opportunity to follow these new domaines from their birth, seeing the winemakers as well as the vineyards evolve with each vintage.

Firstly, there is Nina, who still must prove herself but has all the tools in her belt to do so thanks to her recent studies, accompanied by her unique, high-altitude (450 meters), additive-free monopole plot.

Secondly, there is Pierre Vincent, with a proven track record, and plots from familiar and well-anchored villages.

Be among the first and take advantage of these inaugural vintages’ low prices to build yourself a small collection, compare them with their future cuvées, and experience first-hand how they age instead of waiting for others to do it for you.