The 2009 Beaune Les Greves reveals a dark profile of black cherries, minerals, tar and graphite. This is a decidedly muscular, virile Beaune, yet the wine shows fabulous intensity from start to finish. Violets, roses and graphite add the final notes of complexity. This is another impressive wine from Chris Newman. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. Domaine Newman is one of the more interesting stories I have come across in Burgundy. For several decades American proprietor Chris Newman lost full control of his family’s vineyards, including the crown jewel parcels in Bonnes-Mares and Mazis-Chambertin. A few years ago Newman reclaimed those vineyards and began focusing on organic farming and making high quality wines. It will take some time for the vineyards, especially the grand crus, to recover from several decades of industrial farming, but the wines I tasted from more recently purchased vineyards Newman has fully controlled for longer are very promising, including two spectacular Monthelies. Newman sold a parcel in Latricieres-Chambertin to buy his vineyard in Monthelie, which sounds crazy?until you taste the wines. Savvy readers will want to focus on the mid-level wines, which is where the real excitement lies, at least today.Importer: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300