Delicious deep aromas of Dark berry fruit. Soft tannins, cherry & blackberry fruits with herb flavors on the palate. Good acidity, in balance with the tannins.
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Very good. Still plenty of fruit and characteristic Sangiovese body, balance and thin tannin. Delicious although a little short. I suspect it could have aged a little longer but thankfully was still robust despite a challenging de-corking. Decanting was obligatory and probably improved the resulting flavours. Brunello shines again.
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Redbrown in color. Rich bouquet of ripe cherry, Oakwood, tabacco and chocolate. Hints of mint, warm earthly aromas. On the palate soft red fruit. Excellent balance. Smooth, soft, delicate tannines. Mature wine. Don’t wait, drink now. Another 4 bottles to go😊
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Redbrown in color. Rich and strong bouquet of ripe cherry, Oakwood, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Hints of mint and indian spices. On the palate ripe red fruit. Smooth, soft, delicate. Excellent balance. Mature wine. Don’t wait, drink now. Another 3 bottles to go. 😵
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Rich and strong bouquet of sweet cherry and blackberries, plums, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Hints of mint and indian spices. On the palate ripe red fruit. Smooth, delicate tannins. Mature wine. Expected to expand in another 2 years.
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Pizza Night with Mostly Italians (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Very dark red color. Splash double decanted and was open for 2 hours before drinking. Followed one glass for an hour and followed up the next day. This was not the same bottle that I've experienced in the past. The nose still offers some nice aromatics with dried cherry and dried berry, oak, licorice. But the palate has a more baked cherry flavor, not really in a good way, a blast of heat, oak, and aggressive tannins and simply no curb appeal. It wasn't any better the next day either. Interestingly I found I had made two purchases of this wine, 2 bottles from one source and 1 bottle from another. The first two bottles were just fine and what you'd expect. I have to believe that there was a prior storage/transportation issue with this bottle. Therefore, no score.
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Dark fruit, tar, tobacco and earth flavors, smooth and elegant. We did not decant and over the evening the wine was beautiful. Paired with take out from Anna Maria Pastaria.
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Italians at Scena (Scena, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 1.5hrs. Drank 1 glass over 90 minutes. Love the dried fruit nose, dried raspberry, dried cherry, spices, a bit floral, subtle dried earth. The palate offers more of the same, medium body, dried red fruits, spices, some earth and mineral. 91 to 91+pts.
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At first thought it was passed its prime. After a 90 minute decant it started to shine. Smooth, rustic and such character. Reminded us of why Brunello is so fun.
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A beautiful Sangiovese, with dried cherry, smoke and earth flavors, long dry finish. Perfect with a red sauce with a smoked meat ragu. Decanted for half hour.
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Annual Wine Group Summer Event (Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 2 hours. Drank one tasting pour. I thought this showed well, nice dry earth/forest floor, cherry, black cherry, lightly floral, leather. The palate was medium bodied, fairly elegant, spice, dark cherry, earth, mineral, silky texture and medium plus finish, round moderate tannins. A little wood spice on the finish which i think will integrate further. In the window now and has a good long future. 91(+)pts.
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Camphor on the nose; classic Sangiovese cherry, old leather, sweet smooth tannins, and decent acidity; a classic Brunello. This was much better than I expected given the year.
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Ruby/garnet, medium (+) intensity. A lot of sediment was present at the bottom of the bottle. The nose is clean with black cherries, forest floor, mocha, leather. The nose is medium (+) in intensity, moderately complex and developing. The palate is dry, but with generous sweet fruit right up front. The alcohol is medium (+), but not over the top at 14%. That signature Sangiovese acidity is there, albeit barely reaching medium (+). The tannins are smooth and rounded, but nevertheless medium(+). The mouthfeel is smooth. This is a nicely balanced wine, with a medium (+) body, medium (+) flavor intensity and a moderately long finish. It is drinking beautifully now, and not at all past its peak. It should continue to evolve over the next year or two, but I really don't see it getting markedly better. It paired really well with a seared rib-eye with grilled parmesan polenta. I wished I had more.
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This brunello at 10 years of age, still needs time in the decanter to open up. after some time, mature notes of ripe cherry, menthol, pipe tobacco, cedar wood, and new shoe leather. The palate is fresh and alive, impressing with its impeccable balance and typical brunello character, in a feminine, elegant and understated way. Not really a huge wine, but a lovely, balanced, mature Brunello on a smaller scale. Not seing any upside here so drink up over the next 3-4 years
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Medium dark core; cedar, sweet red cherry, dried fruit on nose; slightly bitter, darker fruit on the palate with a little pruniness, balanced for 2003, good+.
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Confraria - Brunellos (Restaurante Cosi): Bem fechado nos aromas, terroso. Bom equilibrio, terroso novamente na boca. Melhorou bem com o tempo de taça, porém um retrogosto seco.
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This is a beautiful wine. Decanted about 3 hours, it's got beautiful primary fruit, smoke, tar and menthol. Loaded with fruit but bone dry. It's impeccably balanced and supple. Yes, there's ample tannin but it's very smooth. Very impressive stuff. 92-94.
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Decanted for 2+ hours. Went through several phases but my conclusion is that this wine is still very primary. Nose is tight but gives you a hint of complexity. One the palate there is tar, smoke, crushed red fruit and minerals. Sharp tannins at this stage with plenty of acid. Started out on the thin side but gained weight with air. Great pair with grilled meat. Would love to taste this again in 5 years. Another great Ciacci.
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Had with penne with veal and sausage ragu. Obviously still too young, even when decanted for a few hours. Enoyable though. Had those notes of meat and leather I enjoy with brunellos. Will be quite enjoyable in three to five years I'm sure.
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Great nose with some floral, rose essence, a bit of tar an black cherry. Nice acidity and good mouthfeel, medium weight, with some blackberry, black oliver, herbs and a touch of oak. Nice tannins. Smooth and well structured. Nicely done for the vintage.
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Intense aromas of fresh raspberry, floral and exotic spices. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins. Long and structured. Still needs some time. Best after 2010.
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From a 375. At first I thought this had nice deep fruit but a little watery, but after a couple of hours of air it became a very nice medium-bodied brunello. I didn't find it harsh or tannic, as it was smooth on entry and finish. Good mixture of minerals and herbs, but I agree that it lacks a little depth, sophistication or power to be truly exceptional but wow I'm enjoying this last glass more and more. This was a really good example of a brunello. Tempted to get some of their 04 vintage now ...
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nose: nice deep and expressive dark fruited nose with iron, thyme, anise, roasted herbs, perfumes, dark cherries, and dark floral tones poking through. Has that edge to it that other 03s have had, but showing typicity and showing off why the best sangiovese grows in montalcino
taste: hard edged tannins with roasted herbs, iron, loads of black fruits, dark cherries, anise, and some floral tones. Good medium body brunello that is fairly open at a young age
overall: Great depth on the nose, but lacks a slight bit on the palate as far as depth goes. Good complexity of flavors that are well defined, but with a knife edge to them. There is certainly room to grown with this, but it will have a wide open drinking window as its pretty ready to drink already(with a 2-3 hr decant). Nice classic flavors, but with a bit of a zing to them showing off the vintage. Good acidity with a nice black fruited attack and dark cherry+anise finish
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Montalcino visit Spring 2008; 5/22/2008-5/23/2008 (Montalcino): Ruby colour. Full tones of cherry and some herbal hints. Medium-full bodied with refined tannins. Medium finish. Somewhat better than the regular botteling, but still a bit dissapointing for this winery. Drink now - 2010.
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1/12/2024 - nick&nora Likes this wine:
Cherry, dark berries and chocolate on the nose. Delicious, but shorter finish than I'd have expected.
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1/9/2022 - CJMB Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delicious deep aromas of Dark berry fruit. Soft tannins, cherry & blackberry fruits with herb flavors on the palate.
Good acidity, in balance with the tannins.
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1/1/2021 - gingerbreadman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good. Still plenty of fruit and characteristic Sangiovese body, balance and thin tannin. Delicious although a little short. I suspect it could have aged a little longer but thankfully was still robust despite a challenging de-corking. Decanting was obligatory and probably improved the resulting flavours. Brunello shines again.
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9/27/2020 - CJMB Likes this wine: 93 Points
Redbrown in color. Rich bouquet of ripe cherry, Oakwood, tabacco and chocolate. Hints of mint, warm earthly aromas. On the palate soft red fruit. Excellent balance. Smooth, soft, delicate tannines. Mature wine. Don’t wait, drink now. Another 4 bottles to go😊
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7/4/2020 - CJMB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Redbrown in color. Rich and strong bouquet of ripe cherry, Oakwood, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Hints of mint and indian spices.
On the palate ripe red fruit. Smooth, soft, delicate. Excellent balance. Mature wine. Don’t wait, drink now. Another 3 bottles to go. 😵
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2/7/2020 - dkwins wrote: 88 Points
Fruit muted and a bit funky. Not terrible, but wasn’t worth saving
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1/18/2020 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit, fully mature and drinking nicely.
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11/17/2019 - GuruVikram wrote: 89 Points
It’s almost at the end of its life. The fruit has mellowed and the mushrooms have bloomed.
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3/17/2019 - Schuurtje Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fully in age. It is a matter of taste.
Wine is good, some like this, others younger.
Earth, mushrooms, tabbacco, slightly fruit
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3/2/2019 - alba_br Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicioso
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9/30/2017 - CJMB Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rich and strong bouquet of sweet cherry and blackberries, plums, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Hints of mint and indian spices.
On the palate ripe red fruit. Smooth, delicate tannins. Mature wine. Expected to expand in another 2 years.
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4/25/2017 - rocknroller wrote:
Pizza Night with Mostly Italians (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Very dark red color. Splash double decanted and was open for 2 hours before drinking. Followed one glass for an hour and followed up the next day. This was not the same bottle that I've experienced in the past. The nose still offers some nice aromatics with dried cherry and dried berry, oak, licorice. But the palate has a more baked cherry flavor, not really in a good way, a blast of heat, oak, and aggressive tannins and simply no curb appeal. It wasn't any better the next day either. Interestingly I found I had made two purchases of this wine, 2 bottles from one source and 1 bottle from another. The first two bottles were just fine and what you'd expect. I have to believe that there was a prior storage/transportation issue with this bottle. Therefore, no score.
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11/5/2016 - Vino Me wrote: flawed
Opened by Mark. Corked. No score.
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4/16/2016 - no leashes wrote: 90 Points
Dark fruit, tar, tobacco and earth flavors, smooth and elegant. We did not decant and over the evening the wine was beautiful. Paired with take out from Anna Maria Pastaria.
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2/3/2016 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Italians at Scena (Scena, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 1.5hrs. Drank 1 glass over 90 minutes. Love the dried fruit nose, dried raspberry, dried cherry, spices, a bit floral, subtle dried earth. The palate offers more of the same, medium body, dried red fruits, spices, some earth and mineral. 91 to 91+pts.
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8/23/2015 - alamoave Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid brunello from an OK year. From magnum showed no sign of being on the downslope.
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8/6/2015 - JLPwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
At first thought it was passed its prime. After a 90 minute decant it started to shine. Smooth, rustic and such character. Reminded us of why Brunello is so fun.
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12/26/2014 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
A beautiful Sangiovese, with dried cherry, smoke and earth flavors, long dry finish. Perfect with a red sauce with a smoked meat ragu. Decanted for half hour.
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8/9/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Annual Wine Group Summer Event (Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 2 hours. Drank one tasting pour. I thought this showed well, nice dry earth/forest floor, cherry, black cherry, lightly floral, leather. The palate was medium bodied, fairly elegant, spice, dark cherry, earth, mineral, silky texture and medium plus finish, round moderate tannins. A little wood spice on the finish which i think will integrate further. In the window now and has a good long future. 91(+)pts.
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6/6/2014 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
Camphor on the nose; classic Sangiovese cherry, old leather, sweet smooth tannins, and decent acidity; a classic Brunello. This was much better than I expected given the year.
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2/23/2014 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ruby/garnet, medium (+) intensity. A lot of sediment was present at the bottom of the bottle. The nose is clean with black cherries, forest floor, mocha, leather. The nose is medium (+) in intensity, moderately complex and developing. The palate is dry, but with generous sweet fruit right up front. The alcohol is medium (+), but not over the top at 14%. That signature Sangiovese acidity is there, albeit barely reaching medium (+). The tannins are smooth and rounded, but nevertheless medium(+). The mouthfeel is smooth. This is a nicely balanced wine, with a medium (+) body, medium (+) flavor intensity and a moderately long finish. It is drinking beautifully now, and not at all past its peak. It should continue to evolve over the next year or two, but I really don't see it getting markedly better. It paired really well with a seared rib-eye with grilled parmesan polenta. I wished I had more.
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12/12/2013 - Gail and Len wrote: 92 Points
Took to a restaurant and was not able to decant. Had a half hour or so opened before pouring. Terrific balance and nose. Wish I had more.
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7/12/2013 - mattias_hansen@hotmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
This brunello at 10 years of age, still needs time in the decanter to open up. after some time, mature notes of ripe cherry, menthol, pipe tobacco, cedar wood, and new shoe leather. The palate is fresh and alive, impressing with its impeccable balance and typical brunello character, in a feminine, elegant and understated way. Not really a huge wine, but a lovely, balanced, mature Brunello on a smaller scale. Not seing any upside here so drink up over the next 3-4 years
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4/12/2013 - Rezy13 wrote:
Medium dark core; cedar, sweet red cherry, dried fruit on nose; slightly bitter, darker fruit on the palate with a little pruniness, balanced for 2003, good+.
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11/21/2012 - mlawren1 wrote: 91 Points
Fruit is up front in in your face, finishes with a bit of harshness.
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5/8/2012 - Marcyrillo wrote: 90 Points
Confraria - Brunellos (Restaurante Cosi): Bem fechado nos aromas, terroso. Bom equilibrio, terroso novamente na boca. Melhorou bem com o tempo de taça, porém um retrogosto seco.
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4/28/2012 - mlawren1 wrote: 91 Points
Takes quite awhile to open up and for the sour cherry to blow off. Very nice with food.
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3/30/2011 - Vedrossi wrote: 91 Points
Drank on a horizontal tasting with friends. Decantered for 3 hours but not enough. It did improve with the food - tortenolli di capretto
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12/28/2010 - rsbeck wrote: 87 Points
This might be a fine bottle at some point, but not right now. Palate is dominated by roasted dark fruit, BBQ smoke and rustic tannin.
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6/6/2010 - jmull wrote: 92 Points
This is a beautiful wine. Decanted about 3 hours, it's got beautiful primary fruit, smoke, tar and menthol. Loaded with fruit but bone dry. It's impeccably balanced and supple. Yes, there's ample tannin but it's very smooth. Very impressive stuff. 92-94.
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2/14/2010 - JOsgood wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 2+ hours. Went through several phases but my conclusion is that this wine is still very primary. Nose is tight but gives you a hint of complexity. One the palate there is tar, smoke, crushed red fruit and minerals. Sharp tannins at this stage with plenty of acid. Started out on the thin side but gained weight with air. Great pair with grilled meat. Would love to taste this again in 5 years. Another great Ciacci.
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2/2/2010 - kenthargis wrote: 89 Points
Had with penne with veal and sausage ragu. Obviously still too young, even when decanted for a few hours. Enoyable though. Had those notes of meat and leather I enjoy with brunellos. Will be quite enjoyable in three to five years I'm sure.
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1/10/2010 - JohnBlueLabel wrote: 92 Points
Great nose with some floral, rose essence, a bit of tar an black cherry. Nice acidity and good mouthfeel, medium weight, with some blackberry, black oliver, herbs and a touch of oak. Nice tannins. Smooth and well structured. Nicely done for the vintage.
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12/17/2009 - the godfather wrote: 94 Points
good god what a nose, roasted cherry wonderfulness, serious plushness with a great backbone, I love this stuff
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11/1/2009 - the godfather wrote: flawed
corked....son of a ..........
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10/3/2009 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 92 Points
Intense aromas of fresh raspberry, floral and exotic spices. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins. Long and structured. Still needs some time. Best after 2010.
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6/27/2009 - mdefreitas wrote: 92 Points
2003 & 2004 Brunellos @ K&L (Redwood City, CA): Lovely cherry fruit. Elegant, balanced and long.
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3/18/2009 - Hazeo wrote: 92 Points
From a 375. At first I thought this had nice deep fruit but a little watery, but after a couple of hours of air it became a very nice medium-bodied brunello. I didn't find it harsh or tannic, as it was smooth on entry and finish. Good mixture of minerals and herbs, but I agree that it lacks a little depth, sophistication or power to be truly exceptional but wow I'm enjoying this last glass more and more. This was a really good example of a brunello. Tempted to get some of their 04 vintage now ...
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12/6/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
nose: nice deep and expressive dark fruited nose with iron, thyme, anise, roasted herbs, perfumes, dark cherries, and dark floral tones poking through. Has that edge to it that other 03s have had, but showing typicity and showing off why the best sangiovese grows in montalcino
taste: hard edged tannins with roasted herbs, iron, loads of black fruits, dark cherries, anise, and some floral tones. Good medium body brunello that is fairly open at a young age
overall: Great depth on the nose, but lacks a slight bit on the palate as far as depth goes. Good complexity of flavors that are well defined, but with a knife edge to them. There is certainly room to grown with this, but it will have a wide open drinking window as its pretty ready to drink already(with a 2-3 hr decant). Nice classic flavors, but with a bit of a zing to them showing off the vintage. Good acidity with a nice black fruited attack and dark cherry+anise finish
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5/22/2008 - Jochems wrote: 89 Points
Montalcino visit Spring 2008; 5/22/2008-5/23/2008 (Montalcino): Ruby colour. Full tones of cherry and some herbal hints. Medium-full bodied with refined tannins. Medium finish. Somewhat better than the regular botteling, but still a bit dissapointing for this winery. Drink now - 2010.
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