A few words on splurging: you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy a really good bottle of wine; there are plenty of values to be found. However every now and then it is fun to splurge on something truly spectacular.
The 2001 Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet is such an indulgence. Joe and Alice Heitz founded Heitz Cellars in the Napa Valley in 1961, a time when there were less than twenty wineries in Napa (now there are close to one thousand!) After years of trying their wines, including past vintages, I've found that Heitz is one of the few Napa wineries that consistently produces a great bottle of wine. Their wines have rich, dark, opulent fruit with layers of spice and complex flavors. These are wines with interesting personalities that you will want to talk about.
Astor Wines and Spirits (12 Astor Place) has the 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet for $41.99. Sherry-Lehmann also carries Heitz's Napa Valley Cabernet, as well as a handful of Heitz's exclusive vineyard designate wines: Martha's Vineyard, Bella Oaks and Trailside. These cuvées will cost more but are definitely worth the splurge if you can swing it.
I concur, Heitz Cellars produces some great wines. I also really like the wine decanter in the background.
Jenny, could you tell me where to find one similiar to that? I've seen ones at Williams-sonoma but can't really afford the $200 price tag - although I know the one at WS is lead crystal, I just don't need something quite that fancy.
manuchao: You happen to be in luck - we found this decanter at Crate and Barrel for $20! It's their "gallery carafe" and is absolutely perfect, aside from the fact that it is glass rather than lead crystal. It is identical in shape to the Riedel decanter.
Thanks for this write up. I was gifted with a bottle of Heitz's 2000 Cab and didn't know how lucky I was!