First review: Valrhona Gran Couva

Lindy's Rating: 9.5 (previously ****)

Richard's Rating: 9.0 (previously ***)

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Gran Couva year 2009 cacao trees Trinitario region Trinidad size 75g ~ 2.6oz plantation Gran Couva cocoa solids 64% fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $7.99

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth, glossy surface aroma nutty, floral, bark snap hard taste rich, roasted nuts, toffee, caramel hint of tobacco melt less creamy length medium finish slightly bitter

MORE RECENT REVIEW: Valrhona Gran Couva

Note: updated 28 October 2010, so Lindy could taste and add her perspective. Also added PANTONE color.

This Valrhona Gran Couva was my golden ticket bar. I picked it out as my favorite among a tasting of about half a dozen Valrhona chocolate bars. The rich nutty chocolate flavor is wonderful. It's too bad that it doesn't last forever, and that the finish isn't as pleasant as the taste.

The melt of this bar is creamy, definitely beyond smooth, but not quite as creamy as the Amedei or Coppeneur Chuao chocolates. Lindy tasted multiple sweet flavors, including toffee and caramel.

Note that this review may be slightly distorted, as I opened the bar three days ago and tasted for the review from the half remaining this morning.

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UPDATE: As of 17 April 2013, the best price I found for purchase online in the U.S. was $6.99 from Caputo's. We also have a more thorough and recent review of Valrhona Gran Couva.