Angelus scandal

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/10/bordeaux-owner-guilty-in-rankings-scandal

I wonder how common scandals are but we just dont know about them.

Do these rankings actually matter to consumers anywhere? Are the Châteaux able to increase pricing when they receive a promotion within this classification?

So he was slapped on the wrist for helping out his buddies? They don’t make scandals like they used to.

it reads a bit like he might be using his position as part of his consulting winemaking “package” - which would basically amount to bribing

This is, what, the 3rd or 4th scandal with the Saint-Émilion rankings? I think they should do away with them entirely. Let the wines and the market speak for themselves. Plus, Angélus and Pavie, two wines that no longer resemble Bordeaux, are at the top of the ranking. What nonsense.

The entire classification circle-jerk has become an expensive public forum for self-abasement.

The Bordeaux classification thing is a holdover from an era where maybe it made some sense, but definitely doesn’t in the year 2021 and into the future.

I read this and was not surprised. French justice can be strange. But what caught my attention was the very last sentence that said that Cheval Blanc and Ausone will no longer participate in the classification. Backing off from the stink.

Hubert is a rather modest, nice guy. I think there is a very long rabbit hole here that I am not able or willing to go into.

LOL “Furthermore, according to news agency AFP, one of plaintiffs bemoaned the sentence’s lack of severity. “He’s been fined 20 cases of Angélus,” said one.”

Yes, land values increase and you’re able to charge a little more for your wine. Much more if you’re promoted to an A

How do you come to that conclusion ? Who is being bribed ?

It’s the same ongoing issue. That being said, you might not like Angelus or Pavie, but to say they don’t resemble Bordeaux is nonsense

As this reads, it is easy to infer that Hubie is being bribed:

Hubie is “hired” as a “consultant”.
Hubie is paid… how much he is paid and for what is not public knowledge.
Let’s say it is possible that he is paid a whole lot for doing very little.
In return, Hubie’s buddies get voted to a higher classification (or to keep their current one even if their wines are Ptrid Swll).

I am not saying that’s what happened but there is a pretty clear outline of what could be bribery.

Dan Kravitz

Jeff,

Dan K’s explanation is what I inferred as well.

When it becomes public that you have been punished for and admitted to behaving unethically by using your position of authority to reward yourself and your friends (some of whom are paying customers of yours), the idea of you accepting payment for abuse of this authority becomes a lot more credible.

That said, bribing wasn’t stated explicitly so I’ll refrain from further comment.

I am no fan of any classification system, and the one in Saint Emilion seems particularly problematic.

The 2012 version has been dogged by litigation, and the previous one was nullified. What little credibility remained, ended when Ausone and Cheval Blanc packed up its toys and refused to play. And rightly so, the wines are head and shoulders above Pavie and Angelus.

Interestingly enough, the 2012 classification seemed to correlate rather well to Parker scores, at a time when Parker was losing credibility. Pricing though for these properties were high, partially justifying their new position.

Once they got it, the two new As raised their prices yet higher, and Bouard hardly endeared himself to his neighbors, when he literally had Grand Cru Classe A carved over the entrance to the property.

But…the assumption he bribed on behalf of his clients is far fetched. He made wines that fitted the Parker paradigm, which helped them be promoted. Much as I loathe the paradigm, these wines make big scores and fetch big money. I am sure he influenced, and it was undue, and that he has been found guilty of it. He is a man of charm, and presence, and I can imagine someone who does not like to be crossed, so I doubt he encountered much opposition.

Well well, then I’d say this little scandal is a real problem!

Lol

Yes, the producers of “Casino Royale” placed the Angelus vintage 1982, of all things, between James and Vesper during their first dinner together. Unfortunately, 1982 was a very unsuccessful year for Angelus.