A really odd experience; obvious mature color but freakish energy of copious sudsing and froth, I was sure the glass had not been properly rinsed after washing - until I saw the same thing in everyone's glass. Then there was a distinct smell of something akin to Pinesol. Again, it was not anyone's glass causing this. No score. I've had this from some great years and it can be a super Champagne.
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This wine drank much younger than the vintage would indicate. Bright and vibrant green and yellow apples, poached pear, crushed sea shells, and chalk. With air, hazelnuts and nougat emerge. Given its higher dosage, this wine usually drinks "sweeter" than I typically enjoy in a Champagne, but the years have tamed the sweetness and allowed the fruit and terroir to shine. Very nice.
Relatively youthful yellow-green color. Somewhat restrained and quite autolytic nose with aromas of toast, some leesy yeast, a little bit of French bread, light zesty notes of lemon and a hint of ripe golden apple. The wine feels quite dry, creamy and somewhat developed on the palate with flavors of toasty autolysis, some mature nutty tones, a little bit of sweeter lemon marmalade character, light hints of brioche and a touch of ripe golden apple. The wine is high in acidity and the mousse feels very creamy, soft and gentle. The finish is ripe, lengthy and quite acid-driven with pretty complex flavors of juicy citrus fruits, some bready autolytic tones, a little bit of caramel, light nutty notes of slivered almonds, a hint of peanut butter and a touch of bruised apple.
A nuanced, sophisticated and squeaky-clean prestige Champagne that offers lots of depth and complexity. However, the overall style feels very polished and very approachable with a sweet edge to the flavors suggesting high dosage. I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity and nuanced autolytic character the wine showed, but still that sweeter, almost marmaladey touch to the fruit made the wine feel slightly anonymous, lacking in character. All in all a fine and pleasant wine that shows Nicolas Feuillatte can produce some convincing Champagnes if they are aged long enough, but even then the style is a bit too crowdpleaser-y.
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A bit of everything: Quite a few bubbles. Buttery, vinuous, pleasant texture, accidity has decreased. On the nose there's blackcurrant leaves and some animal notes.
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Brazil nuts, brioche and ripe fruit notes as well as yeast - lovely aged character. Still fresh and with lots of energy, precise and very long. Drinking beautifully but no rush. 93-95
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This is a light gold colour with notes of brioche, yeast and almond on the nose. On the palate it is very full bodied and substantial and you can taste that the Pinot Noir dominates the blend as you get more flavours of brioche, cake and fresh bread. A very good 17 year old champagne.
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Anniversary dinner at Morgan's Harbor in Grand Cayman. Very nice - toasty, lots of apples, appropriate balance of acidity and sweetness. A bit of depth to the flavour at the back end. Very good champagne.
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Glengarry Old Wines Dinner (Auckland, New Zealand): A very good wine but a little odd. A bit confectionary - in a lemon/lime/citrus peel manner with a hint of oxidation. Has an appropriate refined texture in the mouth and lots of power that one would expect from a luxury cuvee but in the end it lacks dimension.
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Marvelously good--complex and long on the palate, w toast the predominant flavor at the moment, dry with just the appropriate touch of sweetness. Gets better and better as the glasses progress. In full bloom and ready to go.
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Bright and crisp, both with its aromas and on the palate. Green apple and lemon with a mild cookie dough secondary. Noticed a bit of pear on the palate. Drinks well now with a mid-long finish. Very pleasant and paired well with Salmon tartar. A fine showing from this bottle.
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60/40 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend. Uniquely textured bottle. Bright yellow color. Incredibly tiny bubbles. Nose shows some age, but seems surprisingly young for more than a decade of aging. Tons of citrus abruptly attack the palate. Lemon, minerals, and doughy flavors. Medium-bodied, seems to be leaning towards the off-dry side of Brut. Certainly more of a food-friendly Champagne. Very nice medium-long finish. Steep price makes value questionable among many finer alternatives available for the same cost. Ultimately: a very nice Champagne, but not really worth it unless you want a cool looking bottle.
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Lemon/straw in the glass. Highly aromatic, knockout nose of spicy citrus zest and mineral. Powerful, crisp flavors of apple, pear, tropical fruit, lemon, some herb, and mineral underneath it all. Delicious. Dry, moderate level of toast, complex, great balance. Lingering finish.
Drink through 2014.
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Visually it offered lively bubbles and a fine mousse. It was yeast/dough on the nose with apricot and tangerine hovering over a buttery silky texture in the mouth--enjoyable until... The finish was a cacophony. Complex is one thing, this ended as a mouthful of mayhem.
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Very tired bead, but integrated in that 10-year old sort of way. Nice nutty notes--for that reason I can understand the tawny Port references, as this delivers not only the nuttiness, but the marzipan and citrus oil as well. Decent structure, although the wine on the whole seems a bit tired, the body stuggling to keep up with the dosage. Still, I gotta say I'm in love with the crisp apple aspects of Champagne, and the chalky undertow in this bottling is palpable and adds an earthy, minerally dimension to this that refreshes despite its somewhat melancholy demeanor.
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Allred opened this for the head table at his wedding and brought the remainder over to the table with the CWM for us to try. Very crisp and dry. A focused sparkler with notes of hazelnut and almond paste. 92 points.
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Very intense and concentrated fruit--lemon, grapefruit and apple and a bit of toast and hazelnut. I also noticed the slight sweetness mentioned by others and thought that it contributed to the intensity. Very small bubbles and a silky feel. I thought this was absolutely great and worth the money.
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Poured at a retailer tasting. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Good color and a fine mousse, with notes of cashews and dough, with an apple aroma. Slightly reductive note. Nice nutty, doughy fruit on the palate, with good weight and texture, and fine length to the finish, where this picks up a citrus quality.
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French Wine Society Champagne Holiday 2007 (Patterson Mansion, Washington, DC): on the nose, this champagne reminds me of figs, nuts and a bit of molasses. it may sound ridiculous, but almost like there's a hint of tawny port in there, which is very intriguing. also some flowers mixed in. on the palate, this is silky and refined, yet very explosive. there are lots of almond, toast and fig notes, but then it transitions to a granny smith apple peel finish, which is elegant and long. very, very nice. 40% chardonnay from montgueux, chouilly, cramant and mensil and 60% pinot noir from bouzy, verzy, verzenay, ambonnay and ay.
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CIVC Champagne Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Appealing nose - toast, slate, orange and nutty aromas. Very good fruit intensity on the palate with a strong acid core maintaining focus. Lingering sweetness. Very good, but needs a bit more depth to be a 90+ wine.
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Once Upon a Vine XIII - New Orleans, LA by Martin Wine Cellar (Pavillion of Two Sisters): Very good.........while not as wonderful as the 1996 Palmes d'Or, this is still a fine example of the Feuillatte style and an excellent representation of quality Champagne. Light lemony straw color. Fine prickly mouse with a hint of creaminess. On the nose, there's loads of lemon tree flowers, hazelnut, creamy lychee milk, orange oil, and a grassy element. The palate is silky smooth and wonderfully light, yet robust, while showering your tongue with intense flavors of citrus, marzipan, lychee, lemon creme, meringue, strawberry, and toasty brioche. There is a hint of bitter lemon rind on the finish that is nice when matched with the sweetness. Even though this is a Brut Champagne, this wine has significant dosage, similar to previous vintages of Palmes d'Or. Some may not like this, but while I'm not usually a fan of Demi Sec or sweeter champagne, I find this sweetness to match perfectly with the wonderfully crisp acidity and luscious ripe fruit. One of the better bottles of bubbly.
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10/10/2021 - mblatino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Medium deep golden color.
Nose of honey and citrus. Brioche coming as it warms up. But the honey note is really persistent.
The taste is mature and soft with bready and slight nutty notes. But still an elegant freshness. Lovely bottle. The mousse is smooth and soft.
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7/31/2021 - Elvis1969 wrote: 87 Points
Vissa mognadstoner och bra fräschhet och syra men det här är en enkel champagne.
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5/27/2018 - jmoore431 wrote: flawed
A really odd experience; obvious mature color but freakish energy of copious sudsing and froth, I was sure the glass had not been properly rinsed after washing - until I saw the same thing in everyone's glass. Then there was a distinct smell of something akin to Pinesol. Again, it was not anyone's glass causing this. No score. I've had this from some great years and it can be a super Champagne.
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4/27/2017 - Paul Lin wrote: 92 Points
This wine drank much younger than the vintage would indicate. Bright and vibrant green and yellow apples, poached pear, crushed sea shells, and chalk. With air, hazelnuts and nougat emerge. Given its higher dosage, this wine usually drinks "sweeter" than I typically enjoy in a Champagne, but the years have tamed the sweetness and allowed the fruit and terroir to shine. Very nice.
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3/18/2016 - forceberry wrote: 92 Points
Tasted blind.
Relatively youthful yellow-green color. Somewhat restrained and quite autolytic nose with aromas of toast, some leesy yeast, a little bit of French bread, light zesty notes of lemon and a hint of ripe golden apple. The wine feels quite dry, creamy and somewhat developed on the palate with flavors of toasty autolysis, some mature nutty tones, a little bit of sweeter lemon marmalade character, light hints of brioche and a touch of ripe golden apple. The wine is high in acidity and the mousse feels very creamy, soft and gentle. The finish is ripe, lengthy and quite acid-driven with pretty complex flavors of juicy citrus fruits, some bready autolytic tones, a little bit of caramel, light nutty notes of slivered almonds, a hint of peanut butter and a touch of bruised apple.
A nuanced, sophisticated and squeaky-clean prestige Champagne that offers lots of depth and complexity. However, the overall style feels very polished and very approachable with a sweet edge to the flavors suggesting high dosage. I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity and nuanced autolytic character the wine showed, but still that sweeter, almost marmaladey touch to the fruit made the wine feel slightly anonymous, lacking in character. All in all a fine and pleasant wine that shows Nicolas Feuillatte can produce some convincing Champagnes if they are aged long enough, but even then the style is a bit too crowdpleaser-y.
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3/24/2015 - AV2012 wrote: 91 Points
A bit of everything: Quite a few bubbles. Buttery, vinuous, pleasant texture, accidity has decreased. On the nose there's blackcurrant leaves and some animal notes.
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9/5/2014 - rossi.wine wrote: 94 Points
Brazil nuts, brioche and ripe fruit notes as well as yeast - lovely aged character. Still fresh and with lots of energy, precise and very long. Drinking beautifully but no rush. 93-95
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5/16/2014 - BenU Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a light gold colour with notes of brioche, yeast and almond on the nose.
On the palate it is very full bodied and substantial and you can taste that the Pinot Noir dominates the blend as you get more flavours of brioche, cake and fresh bread.
A very good 17 year old champagne.
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8/28/2013 - pauldenisarcher wrote: 93 Points
Excellent tasting champagne, lively and crisp, but substantial too.
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6/29/2013 - kingcanute99 wrote: 93 Points
Anniversary dinner at Morgan's Harbor in Grand Cayman. Very nice - toasty, lots of apples, appropriate balance of acidity and sweetness. A bit of depth to the flavour at the back end. Very good champagne.
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12/15/2012 - Oenophile 27518 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I love this wine. Unfortunatley, this is the last bottle in my cellar. Easy drinking wine with crispness and a light nose.
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11/23/2012 - R&R wrote: 93 Points
Wow. Still full of caramel and apples and a fine bead.
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10/28/2012 - swyates wrote: 94 Points
The favorite of our three wine tasting last evening to include a 2007 Schramsberg Brut, this wine, and a 1989 Veuve Grand Dame.
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12/24/2011 - foje wrote: 94 Points
i tradisjonen tro er det en årgangs champagne hvert år jul , dette er rett og slett noe av det bedre jeg har smakt av året 1997
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3/18/2011 - Marc wrote: 89 Points
Glengarry Old Wines Dinner (Auckland, New Zealand): A very good wine but a little odd. A bit confectionary - in a lemon/lime/citrus peel manner with a hint of oxidation. Has an appropriate refined texture in the mouth and lots of power that one would expect from a luxury cuvee but in the end it lacks dimension.
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1/1/2011 - isdblm@lsu.edu wrote: 93 Points
Marvelously good--complex and long on the palate, w toast the predominant flavor at the moment, dry with just the appropriate touch of sweetness. Gets better and better as the glasses progress. In full bloom and ready to go.
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4/11/2010 - ilovesacha wrote: 94 Points
Drank this when we got engaged! Fantastic bottle of champagne! Crisp.
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1/22/2010 - KSC02 wrote: 93 Points
Bright and crisp, both with its aromas and on the palate. Green apple and lemon with a mild cookie dough secondary. Noticed a bit of pear on the palate. Drinks well now with a mid-long finish. Very pleasant and paired well with Salmon tartar. A fine showing from this bottle.
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5/24/2009 - noppakit s. wrote: 91 Points
Very nice touch of mild honey, hints of sweetness, mediubodied and elegant finish. Truly feeling of drinking Champagne !!!
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3/22/2009 - vanpe003 wrote: 91 Points
Had at Oceana. Struck as a very nice "food" champagne. It was a little heavier than I like as a sipper.
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1/2/2009 - BrandrB wrote: 90 Points
60/40 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend. Uniquely textured bottle. Bright yellow color. Incredibly tiny bubbles. Nose shows some age, but seems surprisingly young for more than a decade of aging. Tons of citrus abruptly attack the palate. Lemon, minerals, and doughy flavors. Medium-bodied, seems to be leaning towards the off-dry side of Brut. Certainly more of a food-friendly Champagne. Very nice medium-long finish. Steep price makes value questionable among many finer alternatives available for the same cost. Ultimately: a very nice Champagne, but not really worth it unless you want a cool looking bottle.
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12/8/2008 - THaas wrote: 93 Points
Lemon/straw in the glass. Highly aromatic, knockout nose of spicy citrus zest and mineral. Powerful, crisp flavors of apple, pear, tropical fruit, lemon, some herb, and mineral underneath it all. Delicious. Dry, moderate level of toast, complex, great balance. Lingering finish.
Drink through 2014.
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12/5/2008 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
The Blind Drunks 1997 California Cab Retrospective Dinner (Dunham Woods Riding Club, Wayne, Illinois): Persistent mousse with aromas of apple, brioche and toasted, nutty undertones. Everything follows through on the palate, with pear and cashew notes on the finish. Good acidity, texture and a long finish.
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12/5/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Binny's Champagne Gala Tasting (Binny's South Loop - Chicago, IL): Binny's South Loop Champagne Gala Tasting.
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10/19/2008 - annerk wrote: 87 Points
Visually it offered lively bubbles and a fine mousse. It was yeast/dough on the nose with apricot and tangerine hovering over a buttery silky texture in the mouth--enjoyable until... The finish was a cacophony. Complex is one thing, this ended as a mouthful of mayhem.
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9/19/2008 - wino_tim wrote: 91 Points
Rich, fruity and finely detailed with notes of honeyed apple and crushed stone/flinty notes. High acid. Refreshing.
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6/22/2008 - jvogel wrote:
Very tired bead, but integrated in that 10-year old sort of way. Nice nutty notes--for that reason I can understand the tawny Port references, as this delivers not only the nuttiness, but the marzipan and citrus oil as well. Decent structure, although the wine on the whole seems a bit tired, the body stuggling to keep up with the dosage. Still, I gotta say I'm in love with the crisp apple aspects of Champagne, and the chalky undertow in this bottling is palpable and adds an earthy, minerally dimension to this that refreshes despite its somewhat melancholy demeanor.
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5/25/2008 - GA wrote: 92 Points
5/08 well-balanced - good structure and finsih. 92 pts.
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4/28/2008 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
Allred opened this for the head table at his wedding and brought the remainder over to the table with the CWM for us to try. Very crisp and dry. A focused sparkler with notes of hazelnut and almond paste. 92 points.
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4/26/2008 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Pale golden color. Aromas of biscuit, dough and citrus. Good texture, acidity and balance, with flavors of baked bread, apples, and cashews.
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1/11/2008 - grapist wrote: 93 Points
Toast, smoke, citrus. Lively, tingly bubbles. Tart/sweet balance just right for me.
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1/1/2008 - EhrlichDY wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous notes. Citrus, green apple and a slight sweetness. Very nice.
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12/15/2007 - Reyman wrote: 95 Points
Very intense and concentrated fruit--lemon, grapefruit and apple and a bit of toast and hazelnut. I also noticed the slight sweetness mentioned by others and thought that it contributed to the intensity. Very small bubbles and a silky feel. I thought this was absolutely great and worth the money.
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11/30/2007 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Poured at a retailer tasting. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Good color and a fine mousse, with notes of cashews and dough, with an apple aroma. Slightly reductive note. Nice nutty, doughy fruit on the palate, with good weight and texture, and fine length to the finish, where this picks up a citrus quality.
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11/30/2007 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 93 Points
French Wine Society Champagne Holiday 2007 (Patterson Mansion, Washington, DC): on the nose, this champagne reminds me of figs, nuts and a bit of molasses. it may sound ridiculous, but almost like there's a hint of tawny port in there, which is very intriguing. also some flowers mixed in. on the palate, this is silky and refined, yet very explosive. there are lots of almond, toast and fig notes, but then it transitions to a granny smith apple peel finish, which is elegant and long. very, very nice. 40% chardonnay from montgueux, chouilly, cramant and mensil and 60% pinot noir from bouzy, verzy, verzenay, ambonnay and ay.
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10/18/2007 - CamWheeler wrote: 89 Points
CIVC Champagne Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Appealing nose - toast, slate, orange and nutty aromas. Very good fruit intensity on the palate with a strong acid core maintaining focus. Lingering sweetness. Very good, but needs a bit more depth to be a 90+ wine.
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3/22/2007 - Jester wrote: 92 Points
Once Upon a Vine XIII - New Orleans, LA by Martin Wine Cellar (Pavillion of Two Sisters): Very good.........while not as wonderful as the 1996 Palmes d'Or, this is still a fine example of the Feuillatte style and an excellent representation of quality Champagne. Light lemony straw color. Fine prickly mouse with a hint of creaminess. On the nose, there's loads of lemon tree flowers, hazelnut, creamy lychee milk, orange oil, and a grassy element. The palate is silky smooth and wonderfully light, yet robust, while showering your tongue with intense flavors of citrus, marzipan, lychee, lemon creme, meringue, strawberry, and toasty brioche. There is a hint of bitter lemon rind on the finish that is nice when matched with the sweetness. Even though this is a Brut Champagne, this wine has significant dosage, similar to previous vintages of Palmes d'Or. Some may not like this, but while I'm not usually a fan of Demi Sec or sweeter champagne, I find this sweetness to match perfectly with the wonderfully crisp acidity and luscious ripe fruit. One of the better bottles of bubbly.
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11/25/2006 - DUBLTRBL wrote: 88 Points
Nice but somewhat flat, not as exciting as the '96 which I know oh too well.
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11/10/2006 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Very fragrant (In a good way); Foamy; Pear
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