WTN: 2000 Heitz in a Plastic Cup

Criminal, I know...2000 Heitz Trailside. I was invited toa friend's 50th birthday party, and I know she likes Heitz a lot. The party was VERY informal, so no real glassware. But, you know, the Trailside came through. I may like Old World wines, the Bordeaux, the Chiantis, etc, but sometimes a big, rich, ripe Napa Cabernet just sings. This was a bigger and riper vintage than the 1998, and it was voluptuously good-even in the plastic cocktail glass. Big juicy black fruit, definitely some oak, but somehow it all came together into a delicious beverage. Already some tobacco and leather and savory notes, but this wine is all about the big fruit.

How can I like a big fruit-forward Heitz while not enjoying, even detesting, other big fruit bomb Napa Cabs? Not sure, there is just something about the balance of flavors in Heitz that I love. 93 points???

Good post Brian. I love it when a good wine blows away my normal likes and dislikes, and overcoming the plastic is stellar. How did the rest of the crowd feel about it?

Well, Bob...the party had started much earlier than I arrived, and there was tequilla. I know I enjoyed it

Still..not wasted at all. I know my wine afficianado friend (sig other of the birthday woman) enjoyed it.

I've concluded that it is hard to generalize strictly by style. There are big California wines that are still luscious and enjoyable and balanced. There are Bordeaux wines that are so lacking in fruit and interest. (Still...France remains the benchmark, overall...even when I drink and enjoy the fruit bombs) It's easier for me to test drive California wines, given where I live, so they will always make up a big part of my cellar. Although, with the discovery of places like Kermit Lynch, K&L, North Berkeley Imports, and Terroir...plenty of chances to try great Frenc wines, too.

[Jenise]

I've concluded that it is hard to generalize strictly by style. There are big California wines that are still luscious and enjoyable and balanced. There are Bordeaux wines that are so lacking in fruit and interest.

There you go, that's exactly right. You can love both, and there's a lot to love. They're just not, usually, interchangeable. Same with California pinot vs. Burgundy. Same grape, but you don't have to dislike one if you love the other.

Sacrilege, Jenise! There can be no neutral ground in the Style Wars.