Nicolas Faure’s wines have developed a cult following, yet his journey into winemaking was anything but traditional. He wasn’t born into a winemaking family, nor did he inherit grand vineyards. Instead, his path took him through legendary estates like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Chave, where he honed his skills before piecing together his own domaine, now just one hectare in size. His vision is simple but profound: treat every vine as if it were Grand Cru.

The 2024 vintage was one of the most punishing growing seasons in recent Burgundy history. Relentless rain, rampant mildew, frost, and hail plagued the Côte de Nuits from spring through harvest. Some producers lost up to 90% of their crop. For a tiny domaine like Faure’s, every cluster that made it to the press was hard-won.

Merlot from a Burgundy producer might raise an eyebrow, but Nicolas has never been interested in convention. His portfolio already includes a riesling planted on Burgundian clay, and this new merlot is another expression of his relentless curiosity, the belief that great wine comes from great farming, not from appellation prestige.

Bottled as a Vin de France, the designation that gives winemakers complete freedom outside the appellation system, this is Nicolas working without a net. The same non-interventionist principles apply: careful viticulture, ambient yeast, minimal sulfur, and an unshakeable trust in what the vineyard gives him.