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!