The 2009 Sentido, which Javier describes as his “baby Neo,” spends 13 to 14 months in French oak. It has a coconut- infused nose with plenty of red currant and raspberry shortcake – sweet ‘n’ seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a gradual build toward lifted red currant and wild strawberry finish that just steps off the accelerator prematurely. Otherwise, this is very fine. Drink now-2016.
I cannot recollect many winery visits where I have been escorted to a fully equipped recording studio. Still, I cannot recollect many wineries like Bodegas Neo, which is so hip that it must have been modeled on Warhol’s “The Factory” (albeit without drugs and occasional shooting.) Proprietor Javier Ajenjo is a man like me: as passionate about music as wine, although personally I do not organize highly successful music festivals – I just don’t have the time and my back garden is not big enough. I wondered whether the music might be too much of a diversion for Bodegas Neo, but I did not find that to be the case. These are generally soundly made, perhaps in a way, oddly conservative wines that might not be the most complex that you can find in Ribera del Duero, but are delicious in their own way. Search “Yani Como” on Youtube to check out Javier’s band.
Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565