Given that this is GQ, I’m going to call BULLSHIT on that. The only thing that would have mattered would have been the slaves’ own desires. Whether or not some white guy thought it best for them to be slaves is rather besides the point.
Although this isn’t exactly what you were asking, it should be noted that it is very common for the more upscale wineries to have a “Library” where they keep a few cases of their older, and often better, wines. Often, such library wines are taken off the market and only brought out for special tasting events. But they usually can’t afford to go overboard and save cases of every single vintage ever produced.
Further, almost all wine has what the experts would consider an optimal aging period. Best if drunk after “X years” but before “Y years”. Whites are usually drunk earlier and don’t age as well as reds, although it’s all a matter of taste. If you like it right out of the barrel, then Salud!
Was there a cask of Amontillado in there?
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Sometimes, but not usually. The bulk of 80-100+year-old wines are found in private cellars. They die or they want some money, so those lots are sold off.
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Yes. The market for very old fine wines and spirits is now more established, so more companies are catering to this market. In 100 years, the supply of 100-year-old wines and spirits will be larger than it is today. This is still a very small percentage of the market, but it is being served. The prices people are willing to pay for these very old wines and spirits is sky-high.
Uncertain, but there were some little bells in the dust.