Foyt Family Wines
2011 No. 72 Sonoma County Meritage
Meritage
California: Sonoma County
Mission Briefing
Start your engines!
From exciting start to a well-deserved victory lap, this wine takes the checkered flag.
(ahem)
Racing metaphors aside, we really love today’s Foyt Family Wines 2011 No. 72 Sonoma County Meritage. This food-friendly wine, blended from the Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Cabernet Franc (12%) and Merlot (6%), is a true delight in the glass. Our entire tasting panel really took its time with this wine, finding new flavors and deeper aromas the longer the wine spent in the glass.
We love red blends, especially when they achieve such lovely balance. For all of the wine’s bold fruit, there is real elegance here, as well. Drink up!
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Beautiful dark sanguine red, with near-even concentration from core to edge. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | California bay leaf, dried tobacco, lavender, black peppercorn, and toasted cedar join deep fruit notes of dark cherry, blackberry, and black currant. |
| Taste: | Lively and integrated flavors race across the palate, with braised dark fruit flavors joining toasty oak, California bay leaf, saddle leather, dark roasted coffee bean, and dried cranberry. |
| Finish: | Quite the sipper for the price, this wine is best enjoyed after a spot of decanting. A really lovely element of dusty earthiness appears in the finish. |
| Pairing: | A perfect pairing for a hearty homemade burger - we’ll leave the cheese and topping selection to you! |
What the Winery Says
This outstanding (not to mention delicious) wine is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot that was sourced from the famed Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley appellations in northern Sonoma County.
Winemaker Tasting Notes Dark blackberry and spicy plum flavors dominate the palate, and are coupled with black cherry and blackberry aromatics, joined with a hint of cassis and Asian spice. The wine has a very smooth finish, with just a touch of chocolate.
- Winemaker
- Tom Meadowcroft
- Appellations
- Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
- Fruit Variety
- 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot
- Cooperage
- Aged in 30% new French, Pennsylvania, and Hungarian oak
- Production
- 320 Cases
- ABV
- 14.5%
About the Winery
A.J. Foyt is an icon in motorsports. He is the all-time winner of Indy car races and titles, first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, and the only man to win the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Daytona 500 auto races. However, when asked about what is most important to him, he always replies, “My family.”
His son Larry and grandson A.J. Foyt IV created the Foyt Family Wines label to pay tribute to the family patriarch as they launched their first business venture together. It was born out of their passion for fine wine, but before wine it was racing that ignited their fire. Larry Foyt began his professional driving career after graduating from Texas Christian University. His focus was NASCAR where he competed in all three national series, including the Daytona 500. He also raced in the Indianapolis 500 for Indy cars, making him one of the few drivers to compete in America’s two most prestigious races.
A.J. Foyt IV began his pro career driving for his legendary grandfather in the Indianapolis 500 on his 19th birthday, making him the youngest driver to ever start in that world class event. He continues to drive in the IndyCar Series which is where he has made his name and his home. While A.J. set the standard in motorsports, his progeny is setting a new standard in racing personality labeled wines. They know that when their family and friends gather at A.J.’s Houston home over the holidays, their wine will be enjoyed – and admired – for its quality and attention to detail. In the Foyt Family, it’s about excellence, a standard embodied by the father and one that his son and grandson continue to pursue.
Winemaker Tom Meadowcroft
My passion for wines comes from my experiences growing up, working and traveling in Europe and the United States. Early in life, I started my journey in winemaking by working the harvest of 1979 in Bordeaux.
Later in life, I worked at wineries in Washington and Napa, attended UC Davis and Napa College, and then became a wine manager focused on sustainable farming and environmental advocacy. Managing dozens of properties for the top wineries in Napa and Sonoma taught me the principles of winegrowing and gave me a vision for the kinds of wines that I make today.
With over 60 years of excellence behind the Foyt brand, I am honored to work with the Foyt Family in their passion of growing their wine business. I look forward to many years of fun times and fine wines together with the Foyts. Thanks for your interest in Foyt Family Wines. I hope you enjoy and share our wines with your family and friends.
Winemaker Petar Kirilov
Petar Kirilov grew up in Bulgaria, graduating from the prestigious University of Food Technologies in 2002 with a Master’s degree in Beverage Technology, with a specialization in wine, beer, spirits and soft drink technology.
He began his professional career at a Bulgarian factory specializing in high alcohol beverages. In 2003 he decided to leave for California and learn more about the winemaking process. He interned at Truchard Vineyards in Napa, being promoted to assistant winemaker. In 2005 he joined Vinovation, a hi-tech wine company, as winemaker and was involved in numerous research and development projects.
Petar joined Meadowcroft Wines in 2008 as a winemaker to oversee the production of small lot wines. In 2012, he became the winemaker for the Foyt Family, Meadowcroft, and Thomas Henry labels.