Mas wine range grows following AOP status

In recognition of the recent promotion of the Terrasses du Larzac as a standalone appellation, Domaines Paul Mas is proud to showcase the 2012 vintage of its AOP Terrasses du Larzac red – Château Crès Ricards Oenothera.  A blend of Syrah and Grenache, the wine reveals a concentrated and intense palate of spice, blackcurrant, liquorice and mocha – the finish is extremely long and powerful. However, essential to all the Château Crès Ricards range is maintaining freshness and balance, which comes shining through in the current releases of these potent and age-worthy wines.

Domaines Paul Mas will also be releasing a new Esprit de Crès Ricards white this winter. Produced at Château Crès Ricards the wine is a seductive blend of Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier – a fitting testament to the terroir of the region. Classified as IGP Pays d'Oc, the 2013 release compliments the current range of Crès Ricards wines, known for their velvety texture and potent aromatics.

Château Crès Ricards was founded in 1960, in the historical and picturesque village of Ceyras. Sensing its ability for fine wine production, Domaines Paul Mas purchased the estate in 2010, acquiring 26 hectares of selected vineyards in the Terrasses du Larzac. Realising the full potential of the area has become something of a vital mission for the domaine, which has expanded the vineyard holding from 26 hectares to the current 42. “Our customers can expect more new releases from Château Crès Ricards in coming years, the more we experiment with new varieties and techniques, the more we feel vindicated in our decision,” adds Mas.

The latest addition to the Esprit de Crès Ricards range is a floral, elegant wine with powerful aromas of passion fruit, vanilla, apricot and honeysuckle. It joins a fantastic portfolio of wines, including the Château Crès Ricards Stécia and Domaine Crès Ricards Alexaume (a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan).

Formerly classified as Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac, the new appellation will cover over 30 communes in the region. There are approximately 2,000 hectares under vine, with 60 wine producers located within the geographical boundaries of the Terrasses du Larzac designation. Domaines Paul Mas will now continue to push for existing superior sub-regions to be given appellation status, with the Languedoc's La Clape area ripe for promotion, according to Jean-Claude Mas.

Domaines Paul Mas has long regarded the terroir of the Terrasses du Larzac as some of the finest, and until recently massively underrated in the entire Languedoc-Roussillon region. “The appellation certification from the INAO is yet more evidence that the Languedoc is finally being accepted as a centre of fine wine production,” says owner Jean-Claude Mas. “The potential of this area is simply phenomenal; at the foot of the Baudile Mountain, this vineyard offers a unique geography, with its red earth, slates and pebbles. The soils are also particularly well drained, ensuring that hydric stress is at a minimum, keeping the vine in perfect balance. We hand harvest and pull out weeds mechanically thus ensuring optimum quality. The best is yet to come.”Domaine Cres Ricards Alexaume - RRP £8.50; Château Cres Ricards Stécia - RRP £9.99; Château Cres Ricards Oenothera - RRP £13.20.

18 November 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor