Bahen Brazil 70% cacao

Cherry flavor is out front, but the bar does have some bitterness and rough texture, bordering on chalkiness. The aftertaste is also somewhat chalky. 7.8

I noticed that the surface of the bar I tasted was worn, possibly through bar handling prior to packaging, or the condition in which the bar was kept after manufacturing. The Best By date is December 2016, so there was still a good deal of runway for "best" tasting.

Vintage Plantations Peru St. Martin Valley 75% cacao

The texture of this bar is coarse and somewhat chalky. The surface of the bar is discolored with a grainy pattern, and event the bar's interior looks grainy -- as though the conching process was not done well. As a result, the flavor is fairly bitter, mostly cocoa. Subtle flavors cannot get through the flavor noise of the coarse bar. 6.6

I should note that this bar is well within the posted "Best By" date, which is September 2017.  The bar condition could be a result of improper storage at some point along the delivery pipeline.

Bellagio Dark 54% cacao

Simple, basic chocolate. This bar is made with vanilla, which is prominent in the profile. Cocoa is front and center in the taste. Aftertaste is slightly astringent, with persists the taste. 6.9

I purchased this bar during my recent visit to Las Vegas. The Bellagio is one of the hotel/casinos that creates an "experience" throughout the property of elegance based on an Italian palette. I purchased this bar at their convenience store. It is produced for Bellagio by Astor Chocolate.

Nathan Miller Ghana 70% cacao

Creamy texture, with a caramel flavor base. Easy aftertaste, with low bitterness. Smooth. 9.4

Parliament Dominican Republic 70% cacao

Rich, molasses flavor, with background notes of raisin and black cherries. An almost noticeable graininess, but it resolves such that it likely will not be noticed. 8.8

Brix Extra Dark 70% cacao

Bitter, heavily cocoa flavored. Some chalkiness, with an astringent aftertaste. 6.7

If I were awarding points for "user friendliness" of the bar, this bar would get negative points. It comes as a brick that is one-inch thick and with a note explaining that you need to break off a piece of the bar by using a sharp knife stabbed into the top. Inconvenient and dangerous. The box appears to be designed to be inserted onto the neck of a bottle of wine, which is the target market for this bar.

I see on the ingredients list that vanilla is added to this bar, along with "natural flavors." This colors the flavors I mention above.

The "Suggested wine pairing" for this bar is: "Cabernet, Bordeaux, Barolo, Malbec" None of these were available for me to try with this bar. However I would agree with the sentiment on the box: "formulated to pair with the deepest red wines." Unfortunately, this approach does not earn a higher rating for chocolate taste quality.

François Pralus Venezuela 75% cacao

Delicious chocolate, very flavorful. Cherry and brown sugar flavors, low bitterness and a clean aftertaste. 9.7

Parliament Guatemalan 70% cacao

Flavorful bar. The label suggests "Orange Blossom Honey," and I can agree with that. Also suggested is "Blackberries" and "Dulce de Leche." The blackberry flavor is more likely than the dulce. However you tease out the flavor notes, this bar has a nice palette. The aftertaste is clean and brief. 9.0

www.parliamentchocolate.com