A really good week for Syrah, with columnists Gaiter and Brecher of the Wall Street Journal praising Syrah wines from Washington state. At the Miami Herald, columnist Fred Tasker recommends Syrah wines from California and France. Meanwhile, Rob Kasper of the Baltimore Sun explores the many pleasures of Malbec. John Gillespi

Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Hugel Riesling 2007.

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2007.

Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2005.

Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Selvapiana Chianti Ruffina 2006.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers suggests Abbaye de Saint-Ferme Les Vignes du Soir 2004.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Ponzi Vineyards Tavola Pinot Noir 2007.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Saint Lauent Winery Lucky Red.

New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla Sherry.

Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Bodegas Ladera Sagrada Valdeorra Castelo do Papa Godello 2006.

New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on sinking prices in the wine auction world. Examples of bargains snapped up by Daniel Johnnes for the Daniel Boulud restaurants include Clos du Marquis 1985, and several vintages of Alain Voge Coronas Vieilles Vignes.

Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on Syrah wines from Washington state. Very high praise for the wines as a group, with Dunham Cellars 2004 at top choice and Owen Roe 'Ex Umbris' 2006 cited as a value.

Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on a variety of drinks concocted for inagural balls. Nice mentions for Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007, and Goldeneye Pinot Noir 2005 - the wines that will be served at the inaugural congressional luncheon on Tuesday.

Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on bargain wines from France and Spain. Nice mentions for Fitou Les Douze, Casa de la Ermita, and the wines of Rafael Palacios.

Baltimore Sun: Staff writer Rob Kasper on Malbec wines. Favorites are Dona Paula Los Cardos 2007, Andeluna Winemakers Selection 2005, and Angelica Zapata Alta 2004.

Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on the Merlot wines of Chile. Focus is on Casa Lapostolle, with special praise for the 2007 Merlot.

San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews German Riesling wines from the 2007 vintage. A very rare 'four star' rating goes to Robert Weil Kiedrich Grafenberg Rheingau Spatlese.

San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on Sherry. Very comprehensive guide, with tasting notes on offerings from El Maestro, Emilio Lustau, Gonzalez Byass, Hidalgo, Barbadillo, Gutierrez Colosia, and Bodegas Dios Baco.

Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias finds much to like in Tyrrell's Wines Hunter Valley Reserve HDV Semillon 1995, Vino Noceto Sangiovese 2006, and Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2008.

San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel reports from Italy and profiles the Produttori del Barbaresco winemaking cooperative. High marks for the wines, especially the Langhe Nebbiolo 2007.

Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on wines of the Rhone in France. Nice mentions for producers Domaine Saint Gayan, Domaine Charvin, and Le Paradou.

Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on the Keenan and Honig wineries in Napa Valley.

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on Sherry. Praise for Lustau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Wine writer Jeff Siegel on wines to enjoy for the inauguration celebration. Recommended are Lynfred Winery Chambourcin 2006 from Illinois, Becker Vineyards Viognier 2007 from Texas, and Gruet Rose NV from New Mexico.

Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on unusual wines. Recommended are Christine Andrew Viognier 2007, Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc 'Soliloquy' 2007, Paco & Lola Albarino 2007, Josef Wegner Gewurztraminer 2007, Condesa de Leganza Rosado 2007, Ironstone Cabernet Franc 2006, Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Rouge 2006, and Borsao Garnacha Tres Picos 2006.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines from celebrated winemaker Tom Eddy. Praise for the Tom Eddy Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Elodian Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, and Tom Eddy TENZ Sauvignon Blanc 2007.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on the benefits of decanting wines.

Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on Syrah wines. Highest recommendations go to Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage Nouvelere 2006, and Kendall-Jackson Estate Grown Syrah Vintners Reserve 2006.

Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Chianti Classico. Top choice is Rocco Delle Maccie 2005.

Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on wine suggestions for the Obama White House. Nice mentions for Graham Beck Chenin Blanc, Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay, Lynfred Seyval Blanc, Lieb Cellars Merlot, and sparkling wine from Biltmore Estate.

T he Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on sourcing wines from multiple vineyards. Examples of success are King Estate Oregon Pinot Gris 2007, and Casamatta Toscana 2006.

Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow on wines from Croatia, with tasting notes on several.

Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman offers tasting notes on Domaine de Fenouillet 2007, Les Heretiques Vin de Pays de l'Herault 2007, and Montirius 'Le Cadet' Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2005.

Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on Chardonnay wines from California. Tasting notes on several, with criticism for most, but kind words for Heitz 2006.

JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Javillier Cuvee Oligocene Bourgogne Blanc 2007.

The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on a variety of topics, including new gadgets the purport to improve wine in the glass.