Chateau Cres Ricard, Esprit de Cres Ricards Viognier, 2023

Jean-Claude Mas has the prodigious ability of finding land, heretofore unknown for wine production, and turning it into first-class vineyards.

He's done it across France, and most recently, in Les Terrasses du Larzac , north-west of Montpellier. The peculiarity of this terroir is its location below the Mont Baudile, where the region is characterized by unusually high temperature differences between day and night, an important factor for making really aromatic Viognier.

The Esprit de Cres Ricard Viognier is made from vines, which are on average 20 years old. 30% malolactic fermentation counters the lively fruit aromas with mellow cream. Lees ageing and batonnage brings bread crust notes.