Wine Last Sold on: February 23, 2013
Foyt Family Wines
Featured Wine:
2009 No.72 Meritage
| Varietal: | Meritage |
| Region: | California: Sonoma County |
| Availability: | Final Allocation |
| Avg. Price: | $32.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $20.99 |
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SUPER QPR ALERT:
At today’s special Wine Spies price, this wine delivers tremendous value - and a drinking experience that exceeds expectations, easily earning it this special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
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Mission Codename: Driven to Perfection
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Send Agent Red undercover, to infiltrate racing legend, A. J. Foyt’s winery. If A.J.’s wines are fantastic, scoop up an ample allotment for our Operatives.
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Tom Meadowcroft
Final Assessment
From exciting start to a well-deserved victory lap, this wine takes the checkered flag.
(ahem)
Racing metaphors aside, we really do love today’s Foyt Family Wines 2009 No. 72 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 ever more flavors and deepening aromas.
We love red blends, especially when they achieve such lovely balance. For all of its bold fruit, there is real elegance here, as well. In fact, the wine is elegant enough to pair with a rosemary pot roast, surrounded by beets and onion. A grilled New York steak with button mushrooms would also be excellent.
Tasting Profile
Deep ruby hues with a nearly opaque core. Color remains concentrated from core to edge. Tall, wine-stained tears from high on the glass wall. After they hang at the top for a few moments, they begin a slow downward march.
Black licorice, chocolate and dark caramel liquor, toasted cedar and butterscotch meld with lush fruits of dark cherry, black currant, blackberry and black raspberry.
Racy and lively with integrated tannins, driving bright fruit of blackberry, black raspberry, toasty caramel, dried (unsweetened) cranberry and tart cherry.
This wine races to the finish - and takes a victory lap. Bright fruit and soft spice really linger.
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. All of the fruit is pressed firmly to extract the deeper tannins in the skins. The wine is aged I a blend of French and Pennsylvania oak, 30% of which is new, with the remainder in neutral Hungarian oak barrels. Each varietal was fermented separately to allow maximum expression and optimum blending opportunities.
Wine Specs
APPELLATIONS: Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California
HARVEST DATE: September 2009
PRODUCTION: 330 Cases
ALCOHOL: 14.5
pH: 3.43%
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.
