Mini-reviews 169: Even more rose reviews 2023

Reviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. This month, five rose reviews as part of the blog’s 16th annual rose fest.

"Ah, the WC's annual rose extravaganza."

• The 16th annual Memorial Day and rose 2023 post

• Bodegas Ostatu Rosado 2021 ($16, purchased, 13%): Well-made and very Spanish rose -- so almost orange fruit, barely ripe cherry and crisp and fresh. But not that much better, given the price, than the $8 La Vieille Ferme. Imported by De Maison Selections

• La Roche Palais Rose 2021 ($10, purchased, 12%): French grenanche-cinsault blend (60/40) made in the Provencal style, so barely ripe strawberry and lots of minerality. Highly recommended. Imported by Monsieur Touton Selection

• Curator Rose 2021 ($5/250-ml can, sample, 12.5%): This South African wine in a can is a bit pricey, but well done (berry fruit, very dry). I'm told it's available, but it doesn't show up much when I search for it. Imported by Broadbent Selections

• Purato Terre Rose 2021 ($10, purchased, 13%): Nero d'avola rose from Sicily that is fruitier than I thought it would be (ripe strawberries, but not tart), but that isn't sweet and has a longish mineral finish. Interesting and fun. Imported by Vias Imports

• Cellier Des Dauphins Rose 2021 ($11, purchased, 12.5%): Cellier Des Dauphins makes three or four French roses with similar names around this price -- all are worth drinking (red berry fruit, refreshing). So why I am being so vague about which wine to buy? Because, in the finest tradition of the wine business, I think they're the same wine, but with different names for different retailers. So if it says Cellier Des Dauphins, you'll be OK. Imported by Monsieur Touton Selection

Photo: Jacalyn Beales via Unsplash