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 The plaintiff had alleged that AWC sold him several rare wines that he subsequently suspected were fakes. They included a Chateau d’Yquem 1787, purchased in 2006 for a total of $91,400 including insurance. It was believed to be the most expensive white wine in the world at that time. He also named a bottle of Chateau d’Yquem 1847, several bottles of Lafite-Rothschild ranging from 1784 to the 1906 vintages and a Margaux 1908, according to a report in Decanter.
The case was filed in April 2014. AWC had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and filed multiple defence motions to have the case dismissed in June last year. The first was on the grounds that the case could not be heard in Georgia as it had no business links to the State and because its Purchase agreement stated that purchases must be governed by English law. This motion was followed by two other defence motions relating to the claim. These became obsolete and irrelevant and the Court ordered Summary Dismissed. Stephen Williams, the founder and managing director of AWC informs delWine, ‘the papers we filed in court demonstrated our diligence into the provenance and background on the wines was extensive and fully disclosed to Mr. LeCraw Jr. at the time he purchased them. These measures went beyond the industry or scientific standards that existed at that time.’
He adds, ‘In his lawsuit Mr LeCraw unsuccessfully attempted to gain $25 million dollars, over wines he purchased for $450,000.’
‘Despite our success in this litigation, AWC still hopes to resolve any dissatisfaction that Mr LeCraw Jr. might have with our company, just the same as we would any other client,’ Williams said, adding, ‘since I founded The Antique Wine Company 25 years ago we have an unblemished reputation and it's been important but costly and distracting to defend the proceedings that have been dismissed. Our priority now is to concentrate on continuing to build our business and look after our customers.’
According to the report, it is not yet known whether Mr. LeCraw Jr. intends to appeal the court's decision. Reportedly he has 30 days to appeal. His lawyer has been reported as saying that the statement about the dismissal is “misleading” and that his claims are “very much alive” and that he is “considering all of his options”. The complaint could still be filed in a UK court. |