There were 12,000 cases produced of the 2007 ROSE VINHA DA DEFESA, an enjoyable blend of Aragones (Tempranillo) and Trincadeira. It is dry, but very fruity, with raspberry nuances that turn to cherry with some air. It has refreshing crispness on the finish, cutting the somewhat obvious fruity notes—there’s perhaps a touch of cherry Kool-Aid here--and giving the wine a sunnier demeanor. Its mid-palate is elegant and it is quite pleasing, if a bit short and easy. There is nothing profound here, but it should be a crowd pleaser. The younger and the fresher this is, the better it will show. Drink now-2009. This old stalwart in Alentejo provides some of the best buys in Portugal. Its current lineup is notable for the number of fine values, even with the continuing problems with exchange rates (many of these prices may have been set before the recent resurgence of the dollar). Sometimes, the big question here is simply why you should bother to trade up to their more expensive wines.Importers: Aidil Wines & Liquors, a division of Olde World Imports, Inc., Rahway, NJ; tel. (973) 642-0044; for Washington and Oregon only: Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843