Michael Broadbent's resounding victory in the English courts, with Random House apologising unreservedly for, and admitting the untruth of, allegations in The Billionaire's Vinegar that Broadbent had acted unprofessionally in an auction, and moreover was 'improperly' close to Hardy Rodenstock, is only the end of one chapter in the near quarter-century-long saga of the Jefferson Bottles.
We have been following the case from the beginning. Decanter magazine was there when the now-notorious Lafite 1787 was sold at Christie’s in 1985 for £105,000: still the most expensive bottle ever sold.
And decanter.com has written some 30 news articles since early 2006, when the shots were fired by William Koch first, who continues his relentless pursuit of Rodenstock – as well as other merchants and dealers – throught the courts.
Here is a selection of decanter.com articles on the Jefferson Bottles case. For all articles, follow the ‘All related stories’ link at the bottom
- Broadbent celebrates with Mouton 1990, ponders film injunction – 13/10/2009
Having won his libel case, Michael Broadbent now has to decide whether to try to block a Will Smith-produced film of The Billionaire’s Vinegar.
- Broadbent wins Jefferson Bottles libel case – 13/10/2009
Michael Broadbent has won a libel victory against Random House, publishers of The Billionaire’s Vinegar.
- Koch files suit against Indonesian collector – 15/09/2009
Billionaire William Koch of the energy company Oxbow Corporation filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court last Thursday against Rudy Kurniawan, an Indonesia-born wine collector, accusing him of multiple counts of wine fraud.
- Broadbent to sue over Billionaire’s Vinegar – 27/07/2009
Michael Broadbent is suing the publishers of The Billionaire’s Vinegar for defamation of character.
- New Koch lawsuit to go ahead – 04/11/2008
A New York federal judge has denied an attempt by a wine collector to dismiss a fraud lawsuit brought by William Koch.
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