Bordeaux (AFP)

A fine of 100,000 euros partially accompanied by a suspension was requested Tuesday against Hubert de Boüard, a great figure of Bordeaux and co-owner of the famous Château Angélus, accused of having been a judge and party in the classification of the grands crus of Saint-Emilion by three properties failed.

M. de Boüard, 65, and Philippe Castéja, 72, an important merchant and owner of Château Trotte Vieille, have been responding since Monday in Bordeaux of "illegal taking of interest" for their alleged involvement, to varying degrees, in the development of this prestigious ranking which guarantees its lucky winners colossal commercial and financial benefits.

Concerning Mr. Castéja, the representative of the public prosecutor left a possible sanction to the "appreciation" of the court.

In this trial scrutinized by the wine world, the two defendants have denied having used any influence.

In 2012, the new version of the Saint-Emilion classification had 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 defendants were then members of the national wine committee of the INAO, attached to the Ministry of Agriculture.

This body validated the classification regulations and their results, drawn up by a commission whose members it had appointed.

In addition, Mr. de Boüard was a member of the Organization for the Defense and Management (ODG) of Saint-Emilion wines, which participated in the development of the specifications with the INAO according to the instruction.

"Small arrangements between friends" within "two organizations with incestuous links," said Eric Morain, lawyer for civil parties, according to which Hubert de Boüard played a "pivot" role by being "perfectly aware" of his influence.

The three fallen properties, domains of modest size previously still classified, had evoked Monday of "irregularities" and "malicious acts" having led to a dismissal "incomprehensible".

The legal procedure started nine years ago - which also includes an administrative component - has seen many twists and turns, the most astonishing of which was in 2019 a rare appeal by the prosecution - which had requested the dismissal of the referral decision in correctional.

On Tuesday, deputy prosecutor Jean-Luc Puyo made a 180-degree turn in relation to this position and indicated that he "did not share the legal analysis" made at the time by the prosecution.

He underlined the "sometimes dynamic participation" of M. de Boüard "throughout the classification procedure".

He was "a defining, an impeller", he assured, judging Mr. Castéja for his part "much more in retreat".

© 2021 AFP