Whats the best language for large scale enterprise applications?

Is it really Visual Basic 6 / Java / *.NET?
It seems that all three of these languages are still limited by their dependence on either bulky runtime files or the dependence on Virtual Machines.

Is C++ still king?

For example, wide spread, large scale applications like Internet Explorer / AOL's AIM / Nero's DVD recording software, what languages are they written in (is it C++ as I suspect)?
They seem to be independent of Virtual Machines / Runtime files.