2002 Leitz Rudesheimer Magdalenkreuz Spatlese

[wineguruchgo]

"I'm sure he later returned the empties to his distributor for a refund"

I doubt it. At least I wouldn't take it back as a distributor. The one thing you did do for him/her was save them the hassle of having to return it then remembering if the bottle was replaced.

Sometimes it's just easier to sell it for cost, let it go, and have a happy customer!