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Red dry
An unusual Bordeaux wine whose ageing continues on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The 2012 vintage set sail in barrels from the port of Douarnenez in Brittany, France, aboard the “Tres Hombres”. The route followed the coasts of Spain and Portugal, passed the Cape Verde Islands and Brazil, crossed the Caribbean, including Barbados and the Dominican Republic, and then returned to Europe via the Azores, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. During the approximately 10-month voyage, the wine aged in barrels, exposed to the movement of the sea and fluctuations in temperature and weather conditions.
The 2012 vintage displays a deep, dark garnet colour and intense aromas of ripe red fruits. The palate is rounded, rich and well-balanced, with pronounced fruit character and soft, harmonious tannins. The long finish reveals the wine’s complexity and distinctive ageing history.
“Retour des Îles” is made from ‘Merlot’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Carménère’ grapes. This is a distinctive experiment by Château Le Puy, inspired by stories of historic maritime trade, when wines were believed to develop new characteristics during voyages by sea.
Serve at 16-18 °C with beef stew with wild mushrooms, lightly smoked beef sausage stew with red beans, game stew with vegetables.
Château le Puy is a historic winery on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, located in the highest part of the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, near Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Here, the ‘Merlot’ grape dominates, and combined with the unique terroir, creates an exceptional wine style. The estate has been owned by the Amoreau family since 1610, managing 50 hectares of vineyards and 60 hectares of meadows and forests to maintain a natural ecosystem. Throughout its history, no chemical fertilizers or pesticides have been used, and sulfites are applied minimally or not at all, preserving the natural character of the grapes.
Bordeaux wine expert Jane Anson, after a unique tasting of Cuvée Emilien – spanning vintages from 1917 to 2016 – remarked that “this is undoubtedly one of the Bordeaux estates that receives far too little attention.” Another of their renowned wines, Retour des Îles, undergoes part of its maturation during a sailing journey across the Atlantic, visiting Lisbon, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Azores, Great Britain, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and returning to the port of Douarnenez in Brittany.
Wine Style
Château le Puy wines are celebrated for their purity, natural expression, and remarkable aging potential. These are elegant, harmoniously balanced wines that capture the authentic spirit of Bordeaux terroir.
Red wine – predominantly made from ‘Merlot’, complemented by ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Cabernet Franc’. Aromas feature cherries, plums, spices, with delicate floral and herbal notes. The palate is refined, with soft tannins and a long finish.
Special cuvées – such as Retour des Îles, which develop unique nuances from maritime maturation.
Prestigious Vineyards
The vineyards lie on limestone and clay soils, with biodynamic care and natural methods ensuring the fullest terroir expression.
Côtes de Bordeaux highlands – bring minerality, structure, and longevity to the wines.
Historic ‘Merlot’ plots – vines up to 100 years old, delivering depth and complexity.
Aging and Drinking Window
Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts and without chemical additives. Aging takes place in large oak casks, preserving freshness and structure.
Flagship cuvée – excellent to enjoy young but capable of aging for 10–20 years.
Special editions – such as Retour des Îles, age even longer, gaining distinctive maturation nuances.
