Picked up a bottle of this the other day because it is a Caymus second and it is only $14.99 in NH. This is my first time posting TNs and I was just starting to come down with a cold but here we go:

Drank right out of the bottle and it did open some it the glass but not a big change. The nose was of black berries and sweet plums. In the mouth is was almost all fruit (plums, black berries and black cherrys). Light to med. body. It was fairly smooth and very low acid. I think that there may have been some tannins (very mild) hiding behind the fruit but this is for drinking now. It is a very simple, easy to drink, wine and a nice change of pace to the big cabs that I like. BrandO says: "I give it an 88 as an everyday wine. I would go higher if there was some complexity and depth, but it is just not there."

[ 10-30-2002, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: BrandO ]

Always a safe bet for a good everyday wine. Strong Q/P. Their Syrah is equally as strong in not more so for $12 here in NYS.

CC, you wouldn't happen to have some insight on the '97 Liberty School? I have a large format (3L) that I'm trying to gauge.

I do have TN's on my PC at home. From what I remember, the 97 was typical of that vintage for Cali Cabs. I remember reading somewhere that since the crop was so big, the Liberty School Bottling got more of the good fruit than usual resulting in a more Caymus-esque Cab.

Riddler,
WHERE did you get the 3L bottle from??

IMHO, even in a larger format bottle I would drink the 97' sooner than later, as in, plan a bbq or dinner party in 03' for it.

CC, thanks for your good point about the '97 yields. Actually, back when this was released, I recall sampling it several times at a local restaurant that was pouring it by the glass. I thought it was one the best inexpensive offerings at the time.

HL, I stumbled across the big guy at a charity auction. It was being largely igonored among the many lots of NV cults, classified growths and assorted other snob favorites. I suspect that my guests at that big barbeque in '03 will thoroughly enjoy it notwithstanding its humble pedigree.

I really enjoy Liberty School as an everday drinker and then some.

I used to buy it frequently, but have since had difficulty finding it. Haven't looked for it yet since I've been in Boston.

I bought a few cases of the 97 Liberty School and have been drinking them on and off for the past couple of years. The fruit forward Caymus-eques has softened and now the Paso Robles ceder earthy flavors are more dominate. The length of the flavor profile has lessened, so the after taste isn't quite as pronounced. Still a nice wine and a great Q/P. Knowing that bigger bottles tend to age a bit faster, I would suggest, as others have, to open these up sooner than later. Hope this helps

m-driver, Marty's and Brookline Liquor Mart (as well as many others) carry the Liberty School.

I thought the grapes for Liberty School used to be from Caymus but didn't they sell the label or started using grapes from a different region a few years ago?