Domaine du Cres Ricard - Domaines Paul Mas

Château des Crès Ricards

An estate of Domaines Paul Mas in Ceyras, at the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac, 32 km from the sea. Created in 1960, developed by Jean-Claude Mas from 2010 (27 ha, 42 ha in 2013). Sustainable farming certified Terra Vitis, rolled pebbles and clay-limestone soils. Terroir reds Oenothera, Stécia, Alexaume and Esprit whites.

At the foot of Mont Baudile, where the Larzac plateau begins to dialogue with the Mediterranean, Château des Crès Ricards stands out as one of the most emblematic terroirs of the Terrasses du Larzac. Here, the vine grows on a bright red earth, covered with rolled pebbles, in an open, luminous and deeply mineral landscape.

Château des Crès Ricards Oenothera

Red - AOC Terrasses du Larzac (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre)

The estate's emblematic terroir cuvee: a generous, structured and deep red, born of the rolled pebbles and clay-limestone soils of the Larzac. Mediterranean power tempered by altitude, on fine freshness and great aromatic precision.

Château des Crès Ricards Stécia

Red - AOC Terrasses du Larzac

A Terrasses du Larzac red, accessible and generous from its youth, on fruit and suppleness, while keeping the structure and freshness that are the terroir's signature. The immediate pleasure of a great Southern terroir.

Château des Crès Ricards Alexaume

Red - AOC Terrasses du Larzac

The estate's high-expression cuvee, made from the emblematic grapes of the South: a characterful red, deep and complex, cut out to gain in richness and depth over time.

Esprit des Crès Ricards Viognier

White - IGP Pays d'Oc (Viognier)

An aromatic, sunny white, on white flowers, apricot and white-fleshed fruits: roundness and freshness, a generous reading of Southern Viognier.

Cuvée Esprit Marsanne / Roussanne

White - IGP Pays d'Oc (Marsanne, Roussanne)

A blend of two southern Rhône grapes: ample, suave and balanced, on white fruits and a lovely tension. A convivial, accessible white, true to the spirit of the estate.

Terrasses du Larzac, direct from the estate

A great Terrasses du Larzac terroir

Created in 1960, identified as early as 2010 by Jean-Claude Mas even before the recognition of the AOP, Château des Crès Ricards is a mineral terroir of rolled pebbles and clay-limestone, 32 km from the sea. Sustainable Terra Vitis farming, limited yields: structured, fresh and precise wines, cut out for cellaring.

Why do the Terrasses du Larzac wines charm with their balance?

The wines of the Terrasses du Larzac, and notably those of Château des Crès Ricards, charm with their natural balance between power, freshness and aromatic intensity. The draining soils, the altitude, the thermal amplitudes and the control of yields make it possible to craft structured but never heavy wines, offering a precise aromatic expression and a remarkable capacity to evolve.

Where is Château des Crès Ricards located?

In Ceyras, at the foot of Mont Baudile, where the Larzac plateau begins to dialogue with the Mediterranean, just 32 kilometres from the sea. The vineyard lies at the heart of the delta formed by the Hérault river and the Lergue, on a bright red earth covered with rolled pebbles, at the heart of the AOP Terrasses du Larzac.

What does the name Crès Ricards mean?

Created in 1960 on the place called les Crès Ricards, the estate takes its name from the Occitan word cres, which designates a land where the rock surfaces. A name that says everything about the terroir: mineral, luminous and deeply rooted in the Larzac.

What is the link between Crès Ricards and Domaines Paul Mas?

As early as 2010, Jean-Claude Mas identified the exceptional potential of this terroir, well before the official recognition of the AOP Terrasses du Larzac. He then acquired 27 hectares, extended to 42 hectares in 2013, convinced that this land could give rise to great Southern wines. The estate is part of Domaines Paul Mas.

Is Château des Crès Ricards organic?

The vineyard is conducted in sustainable farming, certified Terra Vitis, with constant attention to natural balances. Yields are deliberately limited, around 40 hl/ha, and harvests are mostly done by hand. A controlled, responsible viticulture, in the service of the terroir.

What are the soils of the estate?

Draining clay-limestone soils, rich in rolled pebbles, schists and trace elements, that ensure optimal natural drainage, even at depth. The vine benefits from regular water supply, favouring slow, homogeneous ripening: a solid structure, a preserved freshness and great aromatic precision.

How is the viticulture conducted?

In sustainable farming certified Terra Vitis, with yields limited to around 40 hl/ha and a planting density of about 5,200 vines per hectare, so that each vine fully expresses the terroir. Harvests are mostly manual and Cordon de Royat pruning ensures a lasting balance between the vine's vigour and the quality of the berries.

What are the cuvees of Château des Crès Ricards?

The terroir reds in AOC Terrasses du Larzac: Oenothera, Stécia and Alexaume, made from the emblematic grapes of the South. And the Esprit des Crès Ricards whites in IGP Pays d'Oc: a Viognier and a Marsanne/Roussanne blend, aromatic and accessible.

What is the Oenothera cuvee?

The estate's emblematic terroir cuvee, in AOC Terrasses du Larzac: a red of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, generous, structured and deep. It conveys the power of the Mediterranean climate tempered by the altitude and the cool nights of the Larzac, on fine aromatic precision.

How are the estate's wines vinified?

The vinifications combine traditional and carbonic macerations to preserve the generosity of the fruit. Ageing, carried out in concrete vats, stainless steel or French and American oak barrels, refines the wines without ever masking their origin. Fruit and terroir remain in the foreground.

Which grape varieties make up the vineyard?

The emblematic grapes of the South: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante for the reds, and by Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne for the whites. A palette in the service of balance and precision.

Can you buy the Château des Crès Ricards wines directly?

Yes: the cuvees are available here, direct from the estate, carefully shipped across France and Europe.

Direct from the estate, Terrasses du Larzac

Château des Crès Ricards - a great Terrasses du Larzac terroir in Ceyras (Domaines Paul Mas): created in 1960, developed by Jean-Claude Mas from 2010, 42 hectares, rolled pebbles and clay-limestone, sustainable farming certified Terra Vitis.

Red cuvees Oenothera, Stécia and Alexaume (AOC Terrasses du Larzac) and Esprit des Crès Ricards whites (Viognier, Marsanne/Roussanne, IGP Pays d'Oc)