Wall Street Journal wine columnists Gaiter and Brecher decry the 2006 vintage first growth wines of Bordeaux for uniform lack of quality and sky-high prices. Cru Beaujolais wines get deserving praise from Eric Asimov in the New York Times this week. And W. Blake Gray, writing in the Los Angeles Times, offers a fine defense of elegance and drinkability as attributes of top wines, with the focus squarely on Rioja. JG

Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Woodbridge Zinfandel 2007. (Link)

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Guigal Cotes d u Rhone 2007. (Link)

Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Albert Mann Auxerrois 'Vieilles Vignes' 2007. (Link)

Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino 2007. (Link)

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Robert Stemmler Carneros Chardonnay 2006. (Link)

Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Ceretto Dolcetto d'Alba Rossana 2007. (Link)

New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the pleasures and value of Cru Beaujolais wines. Top choice in tasting is Jean-Paul Brun Terres Dorees Cote-de-Brouilly 2007, while Michel tete Domaine du Clos du Fief Julienas 2007 is noted as a good value. (Link)

New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg on a vertical tasting of Osprey's Dominion wines. (Link)

Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on first growth Bordeaux wines of the 2006 vintage. No kind words for quality or value. (Link) 

Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines to enjoy with grilled meat dishes. The chosen are Layer Cake Shiraz 2008, Dow Val do Bomfin 2008, Legaris Crianza 2008, Mazzoni Toscana Rosso 2006, Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Carmenere 2007, Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, St. Clement Napa Valley Merlot 2006, Concannon Petite Sirah 2006, Cardinal Zin Beastly Old Vines Zinfandel 2006, and Newton Claret 2006. (Link)

Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the new Bordeaux location of Crushpad, and the wines being made there. (Link)

Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on rose wines for summer. Recommended is Segura Viudas Brut Rose NV. (Link)

San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Washington State. Many tasting notes, including wines from Abeja, Amavi Cellars, Andrew Will, Betz Family, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Winery, DeLille Cellars, Novelty Hill, Januik, L'Ecole No. 41, Leonetti, Pepper Bridge, Buty Champoux, and Waters. (Link)

Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on value wines. Recommended are Down Under by Crane Lake Chardonnay 2008, Ludwig Monterey Dry Gewurztraminer 2008, and Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2007. (Link)

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Wine columnist Dan Berger on pairing wines with exotic flavors. Riesling and Gewurztraminer cited as versatile. Also, recommendation this week for La Vieille Ferme Cote de Ventoux 2008. (Link)

San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on blended wines. Nice comments for Flora Springs Trilogy 2006, Valley of the Moon Luna 2006, Klamie White Kuvee 2007, Jaboulet 'Parallele 45' Cotes du Rhone 2006, Chapoutier 'Belleruche' Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2008, Bargetto La Vita 2004, Hey Mambo Sultry Red 2007, Trenza Tinto 2007, Brassfield Serenity 2007, Villa Antinori Bianco 2008, and Banfi Centine White 2008. (Link)

Los Angeles Times: Guest writer W. Blake Gray on elegant wines. Focus is on the Reserva and Gran Reserva wines of Rioja, with nice comments for several from Vina Real, Vina Tondonia, and Roda. (Link)

Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the results of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. Good showing for many Virginia wineries. McIntyre favorites include Cabernet Franc offerings from Barboursville and from Dr. Konstantin Frank, and a Sauvignon Blanc wine from Veritas Winery. (Link)

Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on the wines he enjoyed while covering the Tour de France. Nice comments for many, including offerings from J. Vidal, Domaine de Mourchon, and others. (Li nk)

Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on wines from a local Scottsdale deli. Highest rated is Alois Lageder Chardonnay 2006. (Link) 

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on Meek Family Estate Wines in Washington. Nice comments on the Syrah 2006. (Link)

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on affordable Chardonnay wines from California. Producers cited are Round Hill, Sterling, Bogle, and Cupcake. At a higher price point, nice comments for Chardonnays from Souverain and Au Bon Climat. (Link)

Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on unusual wines. Best comments for Concannon Petite Sirah 2006, and Royal Tokaji Red Label 5 Puttonyos 2005. (Link)

Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on upscale Malbec wines from Argentina. Top choice is Humberto Barberis Gran Reserva Malbec 2006. (Link)

Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on the terminology of 'green' wines. (Link) On another page, report on winners from the International Green Wine Competition. Full list of winners includes Mayasara Pinot Noir Rose Roseena 2008, produced biodynamically. (Link)

The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on new wine finds. Recommendations for Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon 2007, and Westrey Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2008. (Link)

Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow offers some parting thoughts from the International Pinot Noir Conference. Dozens of tasting notes. (Link)

Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on a variety of topics, including the ban on Cycles Gladiator wines in Alabama. (Link)

Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Frederic Koeppel has many nice things to say about Rivola Sardon de Duero 2006. (Link)

Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring offers recommendations of mostly organic wines this week. (Link)

Tasting room: Wine editor and blogger Ray Isle on American wines produced outside of California. Recommended are Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs, A to Z Wineworks Rose 2008, Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 2007, and Flat Creek Super Texan 2006. (Link)

JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Uvaggio Vermentino 2008. (Link)

The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on the findings of the investigation of Brunello di Montalcino producers. (Link)