France: Lawsuit Threatens St.-Emilion Classification

(WineSpectator) - Bordeaux's Right Bank is buzzing with news of the latest lawsuit to challenge the controversial rankings of St.-Emilion's châteaus.
St.-Emilion's 2012 classification is under renewed attack, with three châteaus filing separate criminal complaints with the public prosecutor April 15, demanding an investigation into illegal interference by people involved with the classification.
"The classification was rigged," declared Francois de Contencin, lawyer for the plaintiffs—Châteaus Corbin Michotte, La Tour du Pin Figeac and Croque-Michotte. The same three châteaus filed individual appeals to Bordeaux’s Administrative Tribunal Jan. 4, demanding the classification’s annulment.

Two prominent winegrowers are singled out in the complaints as examples of alleged influence peddling: Hubert de Boüard, co-owner of Château Angélus and president of the regional committee and member of the national committee of the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO), and Philippe Castéja, CEO of his family's négociant firm Borie Manoux as well as Château Trotte Vieille and member of the regional and national committees of the INAO. The INAO is the French agency that oversees appellations.