I've been exposing myself to a lot of Rhone wines recently. North and south. CDRs are an extremely interesting adventure in their own right because of the many different styles, blends and the variability... and the challenge of the hunt for good vrs. not so good. I have a list as long as my arm of CDRs that are considered great QPR and I've drank a number of them, and appreciate many for what they are. A new CDR-like (OK, this is actually a vin de table) blend is from a group of three vinters who call their venture Rhone Gang (.com). I'm drinking their Hold-Up, which is a Grenache-Pinot blend. I like this wine quite a bit because of it's balance of acidity, tannins and fruit and the power of the finish for the price, and the drinkability it has now, and the potential for mid to long term aging. It is a cleaner style of southern Rhone, especially compared to something like Domaine Garrigue Cuvee Romaine CDR which is really funky in comparison. Anyway, it is an interesting blend at least, and something worth tasting if you like the southern rhone gsm classic wine.
I am not sure what the availability or price is in the US or who the importer is (perhaps the same importer as St. Cosme), but it is nice to see this option on the shelves where I live.
Bryan