Just after the Saint Emilion 2006 classification was invalidated by the Bordeaux administrative court in early July, we now witness the re-establishment of the 1996 classification!
This is the result of government intervention, in the shape of an "additional article" passed in the Senate on Wednesday night, to the bill on economy modernisation.
"This is emergency action", explained the legal department of the I.N.A.O. (government bureau for the control of all appellation contrôlée wine regions). This interim solution was found after much pressure from the Saint Emilion wine growers who, since the annulment of the 2006 classification which itself had cancelled out that of 1996, found themselves without a defined quality status.
The return of the 1996 classification means re-instatement of the eleven châteaux de-classified in 2006. It has however created much discontent to say the least, among the eight châteaux who were up-graded in 2006 and who now feel they are back to square one after 10 years of effort to achieve deserved promotion.
"I am disgusted", exclaims François Despagne, whose Château Corbin-Despagne had just regained "noble" classified status after ten years in non classified purgatory. He recalls, "When our château was de-classed in 1996, we did not question the decision but instead doubled our efforts to produce a better wine".
All the other recently up-graded châteaux owners agree that they have been isolated and deplore "a great injustice" .* They are demanding that their up-graded status be intergrated into the current classification of 1996. A legal conundrum indeed for the lawyers involved.
In contrast, those châteaux owners who have regained their classified status (lost in 2006) express their "great satisfation"** : "We are extremely happy about the decision", exclaims Philippe Genevey, manager of Château La Marzelle, whose owners had been at the forefront of the appeal case against the outcome of the 2006 revision, when the château lost classified status despite impressive financial investment on their part to bring it "to the top of the appellation". It seems that their victory over what they felt was victimization has created a different set of victims in the process.
Although most professionals agree that a quality classification is a necessity for the Saint Emilion appellation, some feel that the methods used and rules for qualification should be revised. Discussion on the subject involving all the players seems improbable for the moment, given the scars incurred by this legal battle.
The government's intervention has left a two year breathing space for solution finding. "There are several potential options," added one I.N.A.O official, but did not care to elaborate..
*The châteaux promoted in 2006 who bear the brunt of this retrograded classification :
Pavie-Macquin and Troplong Mondot were both granted first classfied growth grade B status.
Bellefond-Belcier, Destieux, Fleur Cardinale, Grand-Corbin,Grand-Corbin-Despagne and Monbusquet all became classfied growths.
**The châteaux who have now regained their classfied growth status after being de-classed in 2006 :
Bellevue, Cadet Bon, Faurie de Souchard, Guadet-Saint-Julien, La Marzelle, La Tour du Pin Figeac (Giraud-Bélivier), La Tour du Pin Figeac (Moueix),
Petit Faurie de Soutard, Tertre Daugay, Villemaurine, Yon-Figeac.
Summary of article by Jacques Ripoche S.O.11/07/08
translated by Maxine Colas..