-- If a wine is served that you can’t smell very well, say it is mute.
And finally, never, ever commit yourself about whether you like or dislike a wine until you see the wine’s label and know how much it cost.
Wine of the Week: 2005 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($32) -- This stylish, fruit-filled red wine is a superb reflection of what Napa Valley does best with its more favored grape. Herbs and cherries mark the aroma, and the soft, balanced entry is supported by modest alcohol (only 13.5 percent). Good now, and it will benefit from a few years in the cellar. Proof that you don’t have to spend $100 to get a great Napa cabernet.