Wine Spectator 97
"A sumptuous red burgundy, with generous texture, bright acidity and firm tannins focusing the cherry, currant, spice and mineral flavors. Elegant, showing no shortage of intensity or power. A kaleidoscope of fruit, spice and mineral enriches the lengthy finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. From France.—B.S."

"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." - Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate

The foundations of this domaine originated in 1952 when American Robert Newman (father of current owner/winemaker Chris Newman), bought three plots of Grand Cru vineyard land: Latricière-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin and Bonnes-Mares. The elder Newman allowed his grapes to be vinified by a partner for a number of years until his son gradually began to take back control of the vines and to bottle more and more of the total production under the Domaine Newman label. Chris took up the torch from his father, beginning with his first full year’s work in Burgundy at Domaine d’Angerville.

Chris continued buying vineyards from the 1980's through today (in fact the latest plot is about one hectare of Monthélie Villages Rouge which has its first vintage with 2009). The domaine has now grown to roughly 6 hectares of vineyard holdings in total, all bottled as Domaine Newman. Though Chris used many organic practices before, it was in 2005 that Domaine Newman transitioned to 100% organic viticulture and cellar practices. The yields are kept very low – around 30hl/ha, with grape selection done both in the vineyard and at the cellar. Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts. The village level and premier cru wines are aged in 10-25% new oak barrels (almost exclusively Tronçais and Allier oak) and 40/50% new oak for the grand crus. The wines are bottled between 14 months to 20 months after harvest, without filtering.

This is a beautiful line-up from top to bottom, with expressions of beautiful Pinot Noir fruit (mostly Côte de Beaune) that is truly breathtaking. These wines were a huge hit at the June tasting with many people telling me they were the best wines of the room, if not the whole tasting. Many of you have been begging for more Burgundy to sell and here it is: Red Burgundy with startling precision from appellations without current MSW representation; and with amazing Grand Cru holdings too…