Hubert de Boüard was sentenced to 60,000 euros of fine, of which 20,000 suspended, for playing a role in the ranking of the Grands Crus, while he had interests in several properties, including Château Anélus . Philippe Castéja, owner of the old old castle, was relaxed.
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The long-awaited deliberation came close, Monday, October 25, nearly ten years of procedure. The Correctional Court of Bordeaux condemned Hubert de Boüard, 65, co-owner of Château Angelus, in Saint-Emilion (Gironde) to a fine of 60,000 euros, of which 20 000 euros suspended, for “illegal taking of interest”, in the ranking of the great Crus of Saint-Emilion. Also targeted by the complaint, Philippe Castéja, 72, owner of the Chateau Totte Old, was relaxed.
At the end of the last 2012 ranking, which rewards a mention “Grands Crus classified” or “first Grand Crus classified” the laureates castles, three retrograded civil parties, the croque-Michotte castles, Corbin Michotte and the Figeac Pine Tour had filed a complaint against the two participants, reproaching them their involvement in the criteria for developing the rankings.
Due to the deliberation, Judge Denis Roucou highlighted that Hubert from Boüard “has participated actively and knowingly about the process of developing the regulation, while he was in charge of a public service mission and that ‘He had a direct and personal interest in the ranking that would intervene “, denouncing” manifestations of the sectors and small arrangements with friends “.
Financial valuation and notoriety
At the end of the hearing, Jean-Yves Leborgne, the lawyer of Philippe Castéja welcomed the relaxation of his client, arguing that “the withdrawal he had imposed on the decisions which concerned the ranking of Saint-Emilion justified it be put out of cause “. For Eric Moraain, lawyer of the civil parties, this decision is “satisfaction and relief”. And adding: “We were told that it was not possible to try this type of business in Bordeaux, and there was a trial. We were told that it was not possible to win, And there was a conviction. “
And if the court required 2,500 euros of damages in favor of the professional union of the Gironde Farm Confederation, which had formed civil, and 1 000 euros for each of the three complainants castles , while capturing them, Pierre Carle of the Crunch-Michotte castle did not hide his satisfaction at the exit of the courtroom. “The primary goal was to condemn the illegal taking of interest, and that was demonstrated by the Court,” he expressed.
Instaired in 1958, this ranking is crucial in the Saint-Emilion. In addition to the reward that it provides, it allows financial valuation and unprecedented notoriety. Revised every ten years, its regulation is developed in particular by the National Wine Committee of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO), attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, which validates the settlement of the ranking, but also its results.
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