Domori - Puertofino - 70%

Price $4.95 (USD) for 25g

Comparative Price $19.80 (USD) per 100g

Origin Venuzeula

Rating 5 stars

Buy again Most definitely (if only it was available in Australia...)

If you could see me now you would find me in a state of agitation, exicitement with eyes wide and speech a little fast.  That is because a very kind friend of mine brought back around 2kg of various quality chocolates from her recent trip to the US (purchased from www.chocosphere.com) and this is a brand I have heard much of but not able to avail myself of in Australia.

Domori is an Italian brand that seeks out diversity in beans and roasts these with great care and the result, apparently, is chocolate with a unique taste.  In this case Domori use the delicate criollo bean, a recently recovered subclone of Ocumare 67 and from this they claim Puertofino has notes of caramel, tabacco, walnuts, brushwood, mushrooms and dates.  Mmmm, I need to get tasting...

Sight

I love beautiful packaging with my chocolate and Domori don't disappoint; simple, elegant, quality packaging that the Italians do so well.  The picture really doesn't do justice as the dominant red sqaure is actually a lovely burgandy, the type face is raised, and overall it is rather nice.  This is only reinforced when I open up my box to find my four squares of chocolates beautifully sealed within a gold foil bag with the Domori burgandy logo over this.  One of the things I love with chocolate is the sense of occasion when opening a box/bar, and here I get the joy of opening two items!  It's a good start.

The chocolate itself is a very even in colour and a lush dark brown.  This appears to be beautifully made and is consistently smooth without any hint of imperfection and has a lovely sheen to it.  

The squares are a generous size and a good thickness - I have the sense this will give me a good fix.  The quality of the visual is carried over here too with the Domori name and geometric lines/squares imprinted on the chocolate.

Smell 

This has a good smell, not the strongest I have come across but certainly complex and something to get me interested in this chocolate.  Despite the tasting notes at this stage it smells a little fruity.

Snap

It's been very hot days here and whilst I keep my chocolate in a cool place I thought the snap may be compromised by the warm temperatures, however I am proven wrong and this has brilliant snap - dare I say one of the best I have heard.  Very deep, very resonant and very satisfying.  

Taste & Texture

I've been gushing about the pre-taste too long and really need to see if the flavour stacks up to the rest of the experience.

The first thing I notice about this is it has an exceptionally good texture, its up there with Valrhona as possibly some of the best texture I have had - it melts so easily but is thick and luscious and provides a decadent and beautiful coating of the tongue.  

And then I move on to the flavour - it takes a moment for the flavour to kick in and intiially it is a wee bit strange, not bad but I just can't pick it.  But then it develops, working its way through some sweet earthy and grass like tones, with just a hint of bitterness which actually start to develop into rather pungent flavours.  Now earthy bitterness are not flavours I typically seek out and I am still travelling with this flavour, and enjoying it, however I do wonder (and worry) where it is all heading.

But then everything changes!  The caramel kicks in and when it does it starts mildly but the distinct caramel tone dominates towards the end and you are left with this beautifully sweet caramel flavour that cuts through the earthiness and just keeps delivering lovely and intense flavour.

As the tasting continues, the texture just improves as the rich coating on my tongue is built upon.  A very luscious way to experience chocolate, you don't even notice this melting you just become aware of this decadent spread of chocolate delivering its joys.

And finally, does it linger?  It does, not strongly but it is there for quite some time in a very subtle and pleasurable way with just a hint of coffee.

Summary

I love this - but am already lamenting the fact that I only have 25g and no easy way to buy it again.

Undoubtedly this has a superior texture and an amazing flavour and both really stand out as quite unique.  I can only continue to gush about this, and aside from the fact I can't buy it in Australia and it is on the high side of things price wise, I can't find anything bad to say about it.  Love it!  Definitely a 5 out of 5 chocolate.

www.domori.com
(Purchased www.chocosphere.com)

12 November 2009
Reviewer: Shari