Police Inspector Barbaroux requests Lebel's help when the body of an old man is discovered, lying next to a glass of wine and eleven other empty glasses.

Benjamin Lebel and his faithful assistant Silvere go to Jarnac to audit the Castle Aludel, but after the owner turns them away a body is discovered on the castle grounds.

Benjamin Lebel investigates after the sales director of a famous Bordelais chateau is murdered, and Lebel's daughter is a collateral victim.

Lebel attempts to determine if the contamination of a friend's wine stocks was an accident or sabotage.

After the cellars of Baron Castayrac are ravaged by fire, Benjamin Lebel is sent by the insurance company to investigate the claim, and he soon discovers evidence of arson.

After asking Benjamin Lebel to appraise forty bottles of rare Sauternes, the couple is murdered and the bottles of wine disappear.