Community Tasting Note

O>-< wrote:

Sunday, April 17, 2011 - I'm beginning a tradition of opening the newest Extended Barrel Aged SQN each spring, so I've made some comparisons to the 2005 17th Nail, my personal WOTY last year. Dark purple/black (darker than I recall the 2005). Straight out of the bottle, it had mind-blowing caramel and dark fruit aromas and a smooth, modern palate of slippery blackberry cobbler. With aeration, it showed a much more sauvage nose, with plenty of barnyard, iron, and roasted meat aromas. The palate exhibited at least as much coffee and pepper as bright blackberry and cassis, and a fairly long but very clean finish. Those who prefer Manfred's characteristic explosive, fruity nose and polished, layered fruit on the palate may prefer the 2005 17th Nail, whereas those seeking a more Cote-Rotie-like character with less overt fruit and more secondary and tertiary elements (especially sauvage notes) will likely prefer the 2006 A Shot in the Dark. As such, the 2006 seems a bit more 'evolved' than the 2005 did last year. Going beyond stylistic preferences (as far as I'm able), I'd say the 2005 is a smidge better, but that's really splitting hairs. I'd put both in the 98-100 range.

Post a Comment / View O>-<'s profile
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (13,075 views)