Red dry
An exceptional red Bordeaux wine whose ageing includes a voyage of approximately ten months across the Atlantic Ocean. The wine is aged aboard the sailing ship “Tres Hombres”, which departs from the port of Douarnenez in Brittany and travels along the coasts of Spain and Portugal, passing the Cape Verde Islands, Brazil and the Caribbean before returning via the Azores, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. The movement of the sea, gradual temperature fluctuations and the conditions inside the barrels form an unusual part of the wine’s ageing process.
The 2019 vintage displays a deep garnet colour and an intense aroma of ripe red and dark fruit. Notes of spice, cocoa and citrus peel emerge on the palate. The wine is rounded, rich and harmonious, with supple tannins and lingering freshness. Its structure and complexity reflect this distinctive ageing method, while the long finish leaves an impression of fruit and spice.
The wine is made from ‘Merlot’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Carménère’ grapes. Before the voyage, the wine is kept in tanks for an extended period, then aged aboard the “Tres Hombres” for approximately ten months. The porosity of the barrels and the changing conditions during the journey contribute to the wine’s distinctive evolution. “Retour des Îles” is an experiment by “Château Le Puy”, inspired by historic maritime wine-trading routes.
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.
