2004 Neal Cabernet Sauvignon – Decanted for an hour before serving. Great, wild nose of cassis with a bit of tobacco. Noticeable but sweet tannins which gave this really good life in the mouth. Cassis with a touch of vanilla. This is giving a ton of pleasure right now. One could easily cellar this for a couple more years to let the tannins fall away but I prefer it where it is right now. I’ll open up my remaining bottles this year. 92 points.
2000 Branaire Ducru – Decanted for an hour before serving. The nose was very forthcoming with classic notes of blackberries and cassis. The palate was a little tight but opened up over a couple of hours of drinking. Very well balanced and the tannins were mostly well hidden beneath the fruit. There was a slight medicinal note. This is drinking reasonably well with air now but will benefit from another few years in the bottle. 91+ points.
The remarkable thing about drinking these 2 wines together is how much more they were alike than different. Both were textbook Cabernet based wines, with stylistic differences to be sure, but both easily identifiable as siblings under the label. The Neal is the more enjoyable bottle right now, depending on your preferences but the Branaire probably has more life ahead of it.
Viva la difference!