Are You Ready to RHONE Away From CHARDONNAY???

20 Monday May 2013

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Sample dialogue between a Sommelier such as myself and a Wine Consumer. Consumer : I Love White Wines. Can You Suggest A Good One” Sommelier : What Types Of Whites Have You Tried And Liked In The Past? Wine Consumer : I Like CHARDONNAY. Sometimes I Like PINOT GRIGIO But Mostly I Love CHARDONNAY! I love a good Chardonnay myself from time to time, especially from Burgundy, France. With that said, there is a Plethora (Too Big Of A Word For This Website…A BOAT LOAD) Of White Grapes that make delicious, Fruity, medium to full bodied White Wines other than Chardonnay! You just have to be BRAVE enough to CUT THE CHARDONNAY UMBILICAL Cord! Are You Ready???? I Will Hold Your Hand Every Step Of The Way. I promise you will Survive!
rhone-map
The Map above is of the Rhone Valley Wine Producing Regions in France. When you say RHONE to most people, the first thing that comes to their mind are the Red blends from Cotes Du Rhone and the big boy from Chateauneuf Du Pape. In the Northern Rhone it is all about Syrah or Shriaz Everyone forgets about the delicious WHITE GRAPES that produce fragrant, juicy, refreshing White Wines from that Area such as Viognier (Vee-En, Yay) and the twin sisters of Roussanne and Marsanne and Grenache Blanc and Clairette just to name a few and there are a bunch more. I am a big fan of Viognier as well as blends that contain all three of my favorite RHONE WHITE GRAPES, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. It might be difficult to find that exact blend in France and at an affordable everyday price but once again off to the Pacific Northwest and my Numero Uno Wine Producing Peeps in Washington State. Annette Bergevin and Amber Lane of Bergevin Lane Winery TO THE RESCUE AGAIN!
Calico White
I just tasted this White Wine Above for the the very first time last night. Bergevin Lane calls it Calico White. It is a blend of Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne and a hint of Chardonnay to round it out (Just a Hint) This wine says Summertime Sipper as soon as you take a whiff. I am making this statement to the world on my blog. If Annette Bergevin and Amber can bottle this for my fiancee as a perfume, there is a pretty decent chance this 53 year old man might become a father in the near future!! This has such a pretty nose of Apricots, Citrus, Flowers, Honey, it basically seduces you into wanting to stop sniffing and start tasting. On the palate it has a very nice body with great acidity and a burst of Pears, Nectarine, Mandarin Oranges drizzled with Orange Blossom Honey. It even had that Beeswax creaminess that is typical of these types of wines. I was still tasting the Wine 10 minutes after I took my sip. This is the way to give NEW LIFE to a CHARDONNAY DRINKERS PALATE. The only Negative that would stop me from giving this wine a higher review it had a slight too much HEAT on the finish which is rare for a White Wine with only 13.9% Alcohol. Perfect with salads or all summertime light dishes or perfect to just sit around and hang out in your backyard with.
I strongly suggest you Chardonnay Drinkers who drink nothing but Chardonnay take a chance and RHONE AWAY FROM CHARDONNAY and try something different like Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne Blends like Bergevin Lane Calico White Blend. Don’t Be Too Scared To RHONE AWAY… If you really get homesick, I promise you it won’t be too difficult to find your way back safe and sound to another Chardonnay!!!

“It’s The TASTE That’s All That Matters”!!

01 Monday Apr 2013

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It boasts tremendous intensity as well as a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, and roasted meats bathed in Provencal herbs. With superb purity, full body, and no hard edges, this savory, mouthfilling red will drink well for 2-3 years. Ok! You’re walking around a wine retail shop like the average consumer, wandering in a plethora of wine bottles, hunting and pecking for a label you recognize. You read descriptions on wine bottles or reviews like the one above but in reality all you are looking is for the label you recognize from The Olive Garden or when you were waiting for Antibiotics to be filled at your local pharmacy. After an hour of frustration of not finding your recognizable label you finally do the one thing that most retail consumers gag from the thought of doing and you ask for help, praying that the associate will just point you to the generic name brand you buy over and over and not even try to suggest something new and force you to expand your palate. You might even blurt out an opinion provoking phrase like “What do you think of Coppola”? I usually answer those phrases with answers like…”He is a fat Italian Film Director/Producer and I never got close enough to see what he tastes like”! I say that in a slightly humorous way to make a point. First of all as we discussed in previous blogs, it doesn’t matter if you remember the brand name of what you had at Macaroni Grill or a 5 Star Restaurant. Every vintage of every wine will taste different depending on the year the grapes were harvested from. I will die and have three more vocal chord polyp surgeries performed on me stressing that the VINTAGE is the most important or one of the most important factors determining if a wine will be good not THE LABEL OR NAME ON THE LABEL. Yes, even in a bottle of Yellow Tail. More importantly I want to reprint in bold lettering the description of a wine I posted above: It boasts tremendous intensity as well as a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, and roasted meats bathed in Provencal herbs. With superb purity, full body, and no hard edges, this savory, mouthfilling red will drink well for 2-3 years. If you read that description and that was the flavors and taste profile you were looking for, What Difference does it make if it is a Brand Name you Heard Of or if it is a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shriaz, Malbec or Pinot Noir?? What if it were grape varietals that you NEVER heard of like Colorino, Tannat, Montepulciano, Bobal, Mazuelo or Nerello? For every description or flavor profile listed on the back of a bottle I can name 500 Wines that would meet those exact tastes so why not explore.
cuvee-constance-thunevin-calvet-2010
The wine we are speaking of is a unique effort. The open minded who ask for assistance in a Wine Shop will get to experience this amazing $14.99 effort that never scores under 90 points. Those seeking out yet another Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Malbec will not. None of those grapes are in this wine. This wine is produced in the Southern Part Of France by the Bad Boys Of Bordeaux from St.-Emilion’s bad boy, Jean-Luc Thunevin, and Jean-Roger Calvet. Constance is Jean-Luc’s Daughter and it is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan planted on a 25 acre vineyard with old, old vine grapes. What really amazes me is I usually hate high alcohol wines and this one has 15% and I hate over oaked wines and this has a smoky finish and yet the wine is aged in zero oak and in CEMENT VATS? Can Cement create such a silky textured, smoky wine? I guess so. It is a heady effort where the fruit is so ripe that it almost taste like someone spilled some Chambord Liqueur in a vat of wine. Creme De Cassis, Floral, Macerated Black Cherries, Licorice Smoky Meats just a pleasure to drink that makes you want to dive in for another sip. It’s just plain alluring! Think about this: $14.99 for a generic Supermarket Merlot or a 91 Point Rated Work of Art that Glides over your palate like an Olympic Ice Skater and aged in CEMENT TANKS.
The message is clear. Forget the names, forget what your bff recommended you buy from Sam’s Club, forget the 20 pictures you took at Outback Steakhouse on your I Phone of Generic Wines, It is not the names or labels or sentimental value or even a review from me or Wine Spectator that matters. It is the TASTE THAT’S ALL THAT COUNTS. E-Mail me from this blog and I will tell you where you can purchase this great effort while limited supplies last. If not, I only have 1,956 other recommendations that I am sure your Accountant Or Neighbor doesn’t know about!!

TAURASI….The BAROLO Of The South!!

17 Sunday Feb 2013

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When you think of World Class Italian Wines most people even if they are in the Restaurant Business think of the Grape Sangiovese from Tuscany which produces famous wines as Chianti and Brunello Di Montalcino and Nebbiolo which produces the famous wines in the Northwest region of Piemonte such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara. As much as I love these wines as much as the next Italian Wine Lover for me the greatest Italian Wine and Best Bang For The Buck has always been made from the Aglianico grape in Campania called Taurasi. AGLIANCO is one of those fun grape names that will make a Gringo Wine Guy like me think I am speaking Italian. Aglianico…phonetically pronounced (AHHH–GLEE- ON-ICKO) Say it!! See doesn’t it sound like you are speaking Italian.
Campania Map
This is a map of the DOC and DOCG Wine Producing areas in Campania. Like many of Italy’s Wine producing regions, Campania’s DOC AND DOCG come from Greek and Roman influence, it’s origin dating back as far as 800 BC. Taurasi is located 31 Miles Northeast of Naples in the hills of Avellino where the AGLIANICO (I LOVE SAYING THAT GRAPE NAME) derived from the Greek name ELLENICO (NOT AS MUCH FUN TO SAY). Once again like the Greek Varietal we spoke about in a previous post GRECO DI TUFO it is all about the TERROIR. Taurasi is 1300 feet above sea level but the soil is all about the Volcanoes. Those Volcanic Deposits and Limestone are the key to the flavors that make these wines so Amazing. The main reason most Italian Wine Lovers have never tried a Taurasi or ever heard of the grape Agliancio is because it is very difficult to find. I haven’t had one here in Florida in almost 8 years because you never see it. In Florida I had no worries however. I knew one day, my favorite Italian Wine Importer Alberello Imports and the Selections of Nadia Galati would come to the rescue to introduce Floridians to this Amazing World Class Wine.
Taurasi Opera Mia
Recognized as a DOC in the 1970s and then receiving the Higher Status Of DOCG in 1993 Taurasi must contain at least 85% Agliancio. 15% can be Piedirosso or Barbera or Sangiovese. Taurasi must be aged 3 years. 1 year in Oak Barrels and 2 years in the Bottle. A Riserva must be aged one extra year in Oak. The 2007 Tenuta Cavalier Pepe Taurasi Opera Mia brought into Florida by Importer Nadia Galati is probably the best Taurasi I have tasted in my CAREER!! This is 100% Aglianico.The grapes are harvested by hand during the first week of November, are selected in the cellar. Part of a cold pre-fermentation maceration to optimize the extraction of color and fruity aromas. Follows the alcoholic fermentation with a long maceration on the skins. After the wine is racked into French oak barriques, which refines and softens for at least 12 months, until the aging in bottle for a further 12 months. The nose like all Taurasi coming from that VOLCANIC SOIL is Smokey and Meaty and Cherry meets Prunes. On The Palate just silky full bodied macerated cherries, a little dried Prunes (Don’t ask me how I know what Prunes taste like it’s a personal issue) BAROLO like traits of leather and crushed flowers and firm tannin grip. I have always felt that Taurasi is the Epitome of ITALIAN WINE. When you think Of BAROLOS you think Of BIG BUCKS as Well. This TAURASI retails in Florida for $39.99!!! I would have paid $65 or more. It’s just THAT GOOD!!
If you live in Florida you can contact me and I will tell you where to find this wine and I can also tell you there isn’t much to go around. If not, insist your local Wine Merchant bring in a quality Taurasi so you can experience THE BAROLO OF THE SOUTH. OK ONE LAST TIME FOR FUN…..AGLIANICO!!!

Forget BOTOX, Drink Tannat!!

28 Monday Jan 2013

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For some time now, the media and doctors have been touting the benefits of drinking red wine for their antioxidant effects. There is one grape that has brought much media attention over all the others, Tannat. This gets it’s name from it’s very strong “Tannins” coming from the skins of the grape. In fact most 100% Tannats coming from MADIRAN in Southwest France are not ready to drink for 10 years due to the very strong Tannic taste of the wines. However many producers in MADIRAN are now softening up the tannins by blending the grape with fruitier varietals such as Merlot, And Cabernet Franc. Why are doctors and the media so focused on this one grape? The secret to the healthful effects are compounds called procyanidins, and they come from the grape skins and Tannat Is LOADED with Procyanidins. Here’s the Attention Grabber about the people of the small village in France, Madiran. Despite diets heavy with cassoulet, foie gras and other foods full of artery clogging animal fat, the local male population lives very long lives. How Long?? The Average Man lives to be 97 years old!! And what wine do they drink? You got it, TANNAT!
Is MADIRAN the only place you can get this heart healthy grape? No! Although Wines from Argentina and Chile are in the forefront now, watch out for URUGUAY! YES, URUGUAY. The climate and soils are perfect for growing Tannat! One Famous Frenchman and Winery Owner named Bernard Magrez has ventured into Uruguay with CASA MAGREZ
casa-magrez-2010-bernard-magrez-
I just tasted and reviewed the 2011 Casa Magrez from Uruguay. It contains 68% TANNAT, 16% Each Of Merlot And Cabernet Franc. Magrez encourages ripening of these grapes by covering the vines with a canvas material to protect from the rain. After an hour of breathing time (FOR THE WINE NOT ME), the wine was black in the glass just like the wines of MADIRAN. The Aromas of freshly brewed Espresso and dark black fruits were filling my nose and the entire area around me. On the palate the wine was dark, cassis and black plum fruits, great mid palate and a nice peppery finish to the wine. This was a wine that was screaming for Churrasco with Chimichurri Of course Skirt Steak is very fatty but who cares? The Procyanidins in the Tannat will clear out my arteries. Tannat was even mentioned in the famous book called “The Red Wine Diet” saying if you drink Tannat you will Live Longer. I guess there is truth to this as the Men In Madiran are ingesting high amounts of saturated fats daily and living to be almost 100 years old.
Only Time will tell if the men of Uruguay will have this long life as well. In the meantime, TO NOT Drink TANNAT would be missing out on a chance to taste a unique grape with unique characteristics. The 2011 Casa Magrez from Uruguay is the perfect example. I love this wine. You can find it at a Bernard Magrez Shop in France or ask your local Wine Retailer if they have this great wine. Buy a case, throw out the Botox, Skip The Gym and Drink Tannat and live a long and healthy life!

Celebrate LIFE, Not Just New Year’s Eve, With Bubbles!

20 Sunday Jan 2013

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Americans crack me up. Retailers spend 6 months prior to December to stocking their stores with every Champagne and Sparkling Wine for that one day of the year that Americans go bonkers for these wines. Even if they hate sparkling wines, they feel it is obligatory to ring in the New Year with a toast of something bubbly. I am here to tell you that Sparkling Wines, (AND I WILL CLARIFY THIS FOR THE LAST TIME….EVEN IF IT COMES FROM FRANCE AND HAS BUBBLES IF IT IS NOT MADE IN THE REGION OF CHAMPAGNE IN FRANCE IT IS NOT AND I REPEAT NOT A CHAMPAGNE IT IS A SPARKLING WINE. CALIFORNIA CHAMPAGNE IS EQUIVALENT TO SAYING YOU LIVE IN LOS ANGELES FRANCE) are not just for New Year’s Eve or in the Locker Room when A Baseball Team Pours this stuff on their teammates to celebrate the winning of the World Series. Sparkling wines should be worked into your regular regime of enjoying wine. They are Wines except with Bubbles. They are versatile for Apertifs before dinner, they are very food friendly and the ones that are a little sweet are great with fresh fruit or desserts. I wanted to give you some options to look for that are very very affordable Sparkling Wines from all over the world that you should be enjoying more often than once per year.
First, I’d like to start off with my favorite which is Prosecco. This Italian varietal is so refreshing with flavors of apples and pear and a hint of stone fruits. Forget Mimosas and make a Sunday Brunch with a Bellini by adding Peach Nectar to a half glass of Prosecco. Create an Aperetivo sweeping all of Europe but started in Italy known as an Aperol Spritz made with a Campari like Bitter called Aperol and 2 Ounces of Prosecco garnished with an Orange Slice…..Refreshing with some Italian small plates at happy hour time. My Favorite is shown below:
Collalto Prosecco
Collalto Prosecco comes from The Princess Isabella Collalto and it is one of the few Prosecco Superiores on the market, one of the few vintage Proseccos and it is one of the very few made in the “Extra Dry” form which believe it or not is slightly LESS dry than a Brut. At $15 this is a great glass of sparkling wine.
Next From France, in the Loire Valley, in the village of Vouvray, Sparkling Chenin Blancs are becoming very popular as of recent times. You can buy them in the Semi Dry or Demi Sec style or in the Dry Brut Style. Chenin Blanc makes a great Bubbly and they are very food friendly as well. Check this out so you can look for these at your local wine shops or on Restaurant Wine Lists:
Sparkling Vouvray
Last but certainly not least. I have always been in love with Franciacorta. This is one of the few regions in Italy that makes sparkling wines in Methode Classico or in the Method Of Champagne with the secondary fermentation taking place in the bottle you are drinking from . This is a DOCG Controlled area near the Lombardia Region of Italy and the wines must contain the 3 grapes of Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco. Very few expert palates can tell the difference between a Franciacorta and the Real Deal Champagnes. I personally like Contadi Castaldi from the Terra Moretti family because they are delicious and very affordable and are almost as good as any French Champagne on the market at 1/3 the price. Franciacorta
Try The Brut Or Brut Rose and search for them at local retailers. You will be very surprised with the Quality To Price Ratio.

In Summation, I hope wine lovers will branch out from just popping the corks for Celebrating the New Year, Anniversaries, Birth Of A Baby, World Series or Superbowl Championships. At these prices you can CELEBRATE LIFE on a Regular Basis with BUBBLES!! CHEERS!!!!

The Search Is Over For That Perfect Glass Of Wine!

06 Sunday Jan 2013

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For years, I have been asked to recommend that perfect bottle of wine that didn’t require any food or wasn’t too harsh on the tannins. People want that glass of smooth, silky glass of Red Wine they could just kick back with after a hard day of work and relax. Lo and Behold in my favorite State For Red Wines, Washington State, I found it!
Pendulum
Pendulum, always reminds me of those old grandfather clocks and the simple yet smooth motion swinging back and forth as the moments of the day tick away. This is the perfect name for this wine. Wine Spectator who rated the 2010 Pendulum Red 90 Points used the words SMOOTH AND VELVETY When I first sampled this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec with small amounts of Grenache and Mourvedre the first thing I noticed was the soft aromas of Black Forest Cake (Chocolate And Ripe Cherry). At 13.3% Alcohol it certainly isn’t one of those Throat Burning Hot Wines that people seem to drink like Orin Swift or Mollydookers that require 3 Prilosec per sip. Pendulum is exactly what I have been searching for. Silky Cherry fruit with hints of plum and a polished finish of chocolate. At a price tag of $17.99 or at some retailers on sale for $15.99 this offers the QPR (Quality To Price Ratio) that qualifies it as an “Everyday Wine”. When reviewing the wine for tasting notes, before I knew it, the bottle was empty. It is just that easy to drink.
Here’s what one of my guest’s Christopher Houston said about my Recommendation of the 2010 Pendulum: Hey Larry! So, I finally got around to opening the Pendulum. THANK YOU for the recommendation. You are right on the money when you say it is a smooth drinker. I am loving every drop. Happy New Year, good sir!
So my search is finally over for now until the vintage changes. The 2010 Pendulum Washington State Red Blend is the Perfect Glass Of Red Wine to drink by itself or with a meal. I’d pick up a case of this wine to have in the house as the Pendulum Keeps Moving as does time as did 76 bottles of this wine in one week where I work. Wines like this don’t last too long.

I’m Dreaming Of A WINE Christmas!!

26 Monday Nov 2012

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STOP!!!! Don’t let BLACK FRIDAY turn into A GLOOM AND DOOM HOLIDAY SEASON!! I think Wine makes a great gift for all the special and not so special people in your life. Most people who know I suggest wines for a living think that the Christmas Season will be my busiest time. It may be busy but for me it is the worst time of year to perform my job correctly which is to make proper recommendations for consumers for that special bottle whether it be for your significant other or your Secret Santa. The reason being, on all other holidays or non holidays consumers want my expertise and recommendation for a bottle of wine in their price range as they are buying the wine for themselves. They are more open to listening to my suggestions. During the Holiday Shopping Season most people are not buying wine for themselves. They are buying wine to give to someone else. They don’t want my suggestions. They have their long lists of people to buy wine for and what they are looking for is not a expert suggestion but for me to just point them in the direction of the brands of wine that Aunt Shirley or a Co Worker has informed them that the receiver of the Gift wants. They always say the same phrase over and over “If it were for me I would love some suggestions but this is for a Gift and This is what I was told the person drinks”
Follow MY THEORY if you will: It is the THOUGHT That counts right???? Don’t you hate getting a GIFT CARD for a present?? I do! This demonstrates that you put NO THOUGHT into my gift. Same thing with WINE. The brands of wine that people chase after even on the expensive side are available at Supermarkets, Costco (Number One Wine Retailer In America) and some in drug stores and gas stations. If your shopping cart looks like this for the people on your list you need my HELP NOW!!!

The next phrase I hear over and over with regards to the picture above is “Larry, you don’t understand my situation. I have to buy wines for 100 people. My Hairdresser, My Gardener, My Secret Santas, My Mechanic and I just can’t afford more than $5.00 per bottle as I am not RICH”!

I DO UNDERSTAND. What I hope YOU will understand is the first picture are wines that are available next to the motor oil in every single gas station in America and the second picture is good drinking California Wines that have a VINTAGE on them and are only available at select wine retailers. Guess what??? The wines in the second picture cost $5.00 per bottle as well but which choice do you think will make the recipient of the gift feel like you actually put a bit of thought into their gift and which picture will make them think you picked up their Secret Santa gift when you were buying deodorant at the local Drug Store? Are you getting the idea???
Let’s illustrate typical examples of purchases people make during the holiday season. The first picture will be what I think is the wrong choice and more expensive choice and the second picture will be the one that makes a person feel special and is less expensive.
WRONG CHOICE #1

The 2006 Cakebread Cabernet is sold at every single wine shop including Costco. The 2006 rated 83 Points by Wine Spectator with them saying it was very bitter and tannic and no amount of cellaring would help this effort. Average Cost for this popular asked for Brand Name $65
Better Choice #1

The 2009 Fall Line Cabernet from Washington State just rated 92 Points by Robert Parker. They only produce 2,000 cases per year and it is not a blend. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is difficult to find but a Fine Wine Retailer should carry this in your area. If not, check out the winery website online or other online retailers. In Florida, write me an e-mail and I will tell you where to find this gem. It is delicious…plussss Cost is $27.99 and the person will think you gave them a 4 carat diamond.
Wrong Choice #2

Ah Some Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti. When it comes to buying Chianti..The Big Name is Ruffino. The Gold Label is a Chianti Classico Riserva and I haven’t been to a single supermarket in Florida that doesn’t sell this product and yes, I did find it available at a Gas Station. This was not your ordinary Gas Station this one had a Brushless Car Wash !!. It’s not a Bad Wine but very very generic and cost $40 per bottle. No thought will be perceived by your guests except that maybe you took your Toyota in for a Detail and purchased their Holiday Gift.
Correct Choices #2 and #2A


The 2007 Fattoria La Ripa Chianti Classico Riserva makes a delicious highly rated Chianti from Certified Organic Grapes. The property was owned by Monna Lisa’s father way back in the 15th Century. I’m sold on the Story alone. Price of the wine $24.
If you want to go High End Sangiovese (The Main Grape Varietal In Chiantis) for $40 why bother with a generic, sold everywhere Chianti why not kick it up a notch to one of the finest, easiest drinking Brunello Di Montalcinos from La Gerla. I visited this winery in October and the property is amazing and their style of making Brunellos are very approachable even at young ages. Both the Chianti and the Brunello are selections of my favorite Italian Wine Importer in Florida Nadia Galati. These wines are available in fine wine shops all over the USA and I can guarantee you that either choice will not have a Mail In Rebate for a free jar of Pasta Sauce!!
If anyone understands being on a tight budget it is me. Since I was a kid I was taught that the thought behind a gift is more important than the actual gift. Wine drinkers you are buying gifts for know the difference between a Wine sold everywhere and a Wine that you put some thought into and had to physically go speak to a wine expert like myself even if the cost of the bottle was under $10.00 per bottle.
As for me, I love receiving Wine As Gifts to fill up my little chiller. In fact I’m Dreaming Of A Wine Christmas but if you give me a bottle of wine I see everywhere you can turn my DREAM into a NIGHTMARE.

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