(Bordeaux) A great figure in the Bordeaux vineyard, Hubert de Boüard, was sentenced Monday in Bordeaux to a fine of 60,000 euros ($ 86,000), including 20,000 ($ 29,000) suspended, for having played a role in the 2012 classification of Saint-Émilion grands crus when he had interests in several candidate properties, including the famous Château Angélus.
His co-defendant Philippe Castéja, an important merchant and owner of Château Trotte Vieille, was found not guilty.
These two pundits from Bordeaux, aged 65 and 72 respectively, appeared at the end of September for “illegal taking of interest” for their alleged involvement, to varying degrees, in the development between 2010 and 2012 of this prestigious ranking which guarantees significant commercial, financial and media benefits.
Three failed properties, civil parties, accused them in particular of having been judges and parties.
In 2012, the classification promoted Angélus premier grand cru Classé “A”, top of the pyramid, and maintained Trotte Vieille “B”, rewarding eight other properties for which Mr. de Boüard was a consultant or supervisor.
The two men were then members of the national wine committee of the INAO, a body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and which validated the classification regulations and their results, drawn up by a commission whose members he had previously appointed.
In addition, Mr. de Boüard was a member of the Organization for the Defense and Management (ODG) of Saint-Émilion wines, which had participated in the development of the specifications with the INAO, according to the instruction.
At the trial, the two defendants had denied having used any influence whatsoever. The lawyer for the civil parties, Me Eric Morain, had spoken to him of “small arrangements between friends” and “rigged classification”.
The representative of the public prosecutor had requested a fine of 100,000 euros ($ 144,000) partially accompanied by a suspension for Mr. de Boüard, and left to the discretion of the judges a possible sanction against Mr. Castéja.