2008 Bordeaux – Saved by the Weather Bell
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A Smith-Haut-Lafitte baby
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For the second year in a row, the Bordeaux harvest
was saved at the 11th hour by the weather
gods who stretched out their hands to deposit a high
pressure system over the region at the end of the
second week of September.
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Prior to this, the weather had been iffy, to say the
least.
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The year kicked off mild and the vines started their
growth cycle rather earlier than is normal. However,
the vines’ development proceeded remarkably
slowly, leading me to wonder whether they’re
cleverer than their reputation suggests (many would
accuse them of being in a permanent vegetative
state). The weather thereafter turned phooey.
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And it stayed phooey in varying degrees until
September. Then the sun came out, although the
temperatures remained cool. The vineyards dried off
and the fruit started to ripen in conditions that
were cool both day and night. It is this coolness
that has lent freshness and higher aromatics to the
finished wines.
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The situation is remarkable, in that there were a
great many fabulous wines made in 2008. Less
surprising is that there are a number of dogs that
need sifting through; wines with searing acidities
and swingeing tannins.
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I wondered, half way through the week, whether those
who had partaken in the 1988 primeur tastings had had a
similar experience: a facial battering of angular
tannin, with that crisp ‘n’ pure fruit
waiting to emerge after a suitably lengthy period in
one’s cellar.
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Château La Mission Haut-Brion
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The Wines
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St Estèphe
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Pruners at work at Château Montrose
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Montrose, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£510.00 |
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| 2008 |
Pagodes de Cos, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France |
2012-2022 |
12x75cl |
£237.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cos d'Estournel, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2035 |
12x75cl |
£786.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Calon-Ségur, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2030 |
12x75cl |
£300.00 |
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Pauillac
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Wisteria starting to flower on the walls of
Château Lafite
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2019-2035 |
6x75cl |
£840.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2023 |
12x75cl |
£276.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2035 |
6x75cl |
£810.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2013-2022 |
12x75cl |
£240.00 |
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| 2008 |
Le Petit Mouton, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£480.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Clerc Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£264.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2018-2035 |
6x75cl |
£831.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£210.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pichon-Baron, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2030 |
12x75cl |
£522.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£471.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2018-2035 |
12x75cl |
£522.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£390.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cantemerle, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£162.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£201.00 |
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St Julien
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Vats in the cellars of Château Branaire-Ducru
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Branaire-Ducru, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Ducru-Beacaillou, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2035 |
12x75cl |
£759.00 |
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| 2008 |
Clos du Marquis, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2026 |
12x75cl |
£264.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Léoville-Lascases, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2018-2040 |
12x75cl |
£912.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Langoa-Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£252.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Léoville-Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2018-2035 |
12x75cl |
£342.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Léoville-Poyferré, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£330.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Talbot, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£252.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Gruaud-Larose, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Beychevelle, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£267.00 |
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| 2008 |
Les Fiefs de Lagrange, St Julien, Bordeaux, France |
0-0 |
12x75cl |
£129.00 |
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Margaux
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Château Disney Palmer from
Château Margaux
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
0-0 |
12x75cl |
£258.00 |
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| 2008 |
Pavillon Rouge de Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£321.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2018-2035 |
6x75cl |
£810.00 |
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| 2008 |
Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2013-2019 |
12x75cl |
£297.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£1,020.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Du Tertre, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2013-2020 |
12x75cl |
£198.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Giscours, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£264.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£366.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£270.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£231.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Kirwan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£267.00 |
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Haut-Médoc &
Moulis
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Château Chasse-Spleen, where the wines of
Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Listrac and Moulis were tasted this
year
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Beaumont, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France |
0-0 |
12x75cl |
£75.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Potensac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France |
2012-2020 |
12x75cl |
£144.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£165.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cantemerle, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£162.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château La Lagune, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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Pessac-Léognan
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The shining path to Smith-Haut-Lafitte
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2035 |
6x75cl |
£900.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2035 |
12x75cl |
£1,320.00 |
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| 2008 |
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2025 |
12x75cl |
£288.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2027 |
12x75cl |
£444.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Les Carmes-Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2022 |
12x75cl |
£267.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pape-Clément, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£762.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte , Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£345.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Carbonnieux Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2012-2018 |
12x75cl |
£222.00 |
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| 2008 |
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2012-2018 |
12x75cl |
£552.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
2011-2017 |
6x75cl |
£264.00 |
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Sauternes & Barsac
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The highest point of the Sauternes vineyard and
the château that sits there: Yquem
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Rieussec, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£444.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Guiraud, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£321.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Suduiraut, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2035 |
12x75cl |
£420.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2040 |
6x75cl |
£975.00 |
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St Emilion
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Château Canon has been notably successful in
2008
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Teyssier, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2011-2018 |
12x75cl |
£120.00 |
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| 2008 |
Le Dôme, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2025 |
6x75cl |
£423.00 |
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| 2008 |
Vieux-Château-Mazérat, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£612.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Laforge, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2013-2022 |
12x75cl |
£261.00 |
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| 2008 |
Clos de l'Oratoire, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£198.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Troplong Mondot, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2018-2025 |
12x75cl |
£480.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Teyssier, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2011-2018 |
12x75cl |
£120.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Angélus, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2030 |
12x75cl |
£725.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Berliquet, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£201.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Canon, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£420.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Figeac, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£501.00 |
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| 2008 |
Clos Fourtet, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
6x75cl |
£156.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Franc-Mayne, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£201.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£384.00 |
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| 2008 |
La Mondotte, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2025 |
12x75cl |
£1,002.00 |
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| 2008 |
Le Petit Cheval, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2013-2023 |
12x75cl |
£582.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cheval-Blanc, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2017-2035 |
6x75cl |
£1,725.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château de Fonbel, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£114.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Grand-Mayne, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£246.00 |
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Pomerol
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Château Evangile
from Cheval-Blanc
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2008 |
Château Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France |
2015-2022 |
12x75cl |
£402.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château La Conseillante, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£510.00 |
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| 2008 |
Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France |
2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£475.00 |
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