Snake and Butterfly Madagascar 67% cocoa

This is a classic Madagascar bar, with bright citrus flavors. The aftertaste is clean, though there's a slight bitterness on the way to the finale. At 67% cocoa content, the taste is a little softer than the more common 70% bars. 8.5

I mentioned tapering in the corner of the Venuzuela bar, and this bar also has a little tapering at one end. Interesting!

Snake And Butterfly Venezeula 76% cocoa

Interesting flavors -- citrus and cherry.  But there is a lingering bitterness throughout the experience, including in the aftertaste.  7.9

The bar I tasted was tapered in only one corner -- I wondered whether it had been damaged, but it looked like it was molded that way.  The bar had swirls on the bottom, presumably from the pour into the mold.  The company's website says that the bars are hand-poured.

This is another local chocolate maker, located in Campbell, California.

SnakeandButterfly.com

Dandelion Madagascar 70% cacao

This is a classic Madagascar bar -- fruity and tart, some cherry flavor.  Well made, crisp snap when pieces are broken off.  The flavors give the bar a sweet aftertaste.  8.8

www.dadelionchocolate.com

Fearless Raw Organic Dark Midnight 75% cacao

Clean taste, very rich chocolate. An almost root beer flavor in the background. Some bitterness, but it fades fast in the aftertaste. Some small nibs are exposed when the chocolate fully melts. 7.4

www.fearlesschocolate.com

François Pralus Tanzania 75% cacao

There is a lot going on with this bar. Cherry and honey, with a hint of coffee apparent. It is also a bit bitter, but the aftertaste is pleasant. Well made and well done, François Pralus! 9.2

See also:
François Pralus Fortissima 80% cacao
François Pralus Madagascar 75% cocoa
François Pralus Trinidad 75% cocoa

Hmm, I see a pattern in these reviews: I am consistently tasting cherry.

Article: Heart of Dark Chocolate

A friend passed this article along to me. A good read!

Heart of Dark Chocolate

Valrhona Abinao "Puissant & Tannic" 85% cacao

The bar has a strong presence. "Puissant," for those without a dictionary handy, means "powerful; mighty; potent," so it is appropriately characterized. The tannic angle provides a bitter aftertaste, but it tails off quickly and is clean. A slight floral undertone is about the only side flavor I notice. 8.1