A sophisticated tasting collection showcasing some of Amedei Toscana's most prestigious and distinctive dark chocolates, Selezione I Neri is designed for those who want to explore cacao at its most refined.
Presented as 12 individual Napolitains, the collection brings together four exceptional expressions—Blanco de Criollo 70%, Porcelana 70%, Nove 75% and Acero 95%—moving from the extraordinary delicacy of rare Criollo cacao to the formidable intensity of a 95% dark chocolate sweetened only with maple sugar.
Producer: Amedei Toscana
Origin: Pontedera, Tuscany, Italy
Style: Selection of Fine & Extra Dark Chocolates
Selection: 2018
Format: 12 Napolitains · 54 g / 1.90 oz
The collection includes four distinctive chocolates:
BLANCO DE CRIOLLO — 70%
A rare and elegant Criollo expression, prized for finesse and aromatic complexity rather than sheer power.
PORCELANA — 70%
One of Amedei's most prestigious chocolates, made from rare Porcelana cacao and distinguished by exceptional delicacy, harmony and refinement.
NOVE — 75%
Amedei's celebrated blend of cacao from nine different plantations, created to achieve complexity through the marriage of multiple origins.
ACERO — 95%
The most intense expression in the collection: 95% dark chocolate made with just 5% maple sugar, creating remarkable cacao concentration with only restrained sweetness.
Aroma:
An extraordinary spectrum of fine cacao aromas, ranging from delicate nuts, toasted notes and subtle florals through darker roasted cacao, dried fruit and increasingly intense earthy nuances.
Palate:
The experience evolves dramatically from one Napolitain to the next. Blanco de Criollo and Porcelana emphasize delicacy and finesse; Nove introduces greater depth and complexity; while Acero 95% brings the tasting to a powerful conclusion with concentrated cacao and minimal sweetness.
Texture:
Each Napolitain offers a precise snap followed by Amedei's characteristically smooth, gradual and refined melt, allowing the aromatic personality of each chocolate to emerge slowly.
Finish:
The progression moves from elegant and nuanced to increasingly dark and persistent, culminating in the intense, lingering cacao character of Acero 95%.
Amedei describes I Neri as a collection created to showcase the unmistakable character of some of its finest and most carefully selected chocolates, representing the highest expression of the house's research into cacao.
What makes this selection particularly compelling is that the four chocolates explore very different approaches to excellence.
Porcelana and Blanco de Criollo demonstrate the importance of rare cacao genetics and provenance. Nove explores the art of blending cacao from nine plantations, while Acero pushes concentration to 95% and uses maple sugar rather than conventional cane sugar.
It is therefore not simply a progression of cacao percentages, but a tasting of four different philosophies of fine chocolate.
Amedei Selezione I Neri is one of the most compelling tasting collections for the serious dark-chocolate enthusiast.
Across 12 individual Napolitains, it moves from the finesse of rare Criollo cacao to the complexity of a nine-plantation blend and finally the extraordinary intensity of 95% dark chocolate.
For wine lovers, the concept is particularly appealing. Think of it as a four-wine tasting flight in chocolate form—different origins, compositions and levels of concentration explored side by side.
The 54 g presentation is ideal for gifting, after-dinner tasting or pairing with a selection of fine wines and spirits. Amedei recommends storing the chocolates in a cool, dry place between 14°C and 18°C.
For the most interesting experience, I would pair the chocolates progressively:
BLANCO DE CRIOLLO 70% — Vin Santo · Fine Cognac
PORCELANA 70% — 20-Year Tawny Port · Madeira · Vin Santo
NOVE 75% — Vintage Port · Aged Rum · Cognac
ACERO 95% — Madeira · Barolo Chinato · Armagnac · Espresso
Alternatively, serve the complete collection alongside a small flight of Port, Madeira or aged rum, tasting from the most delicate chocolate toward the most intense.
PAIR WITH:
Vin Santo · Tawny Port · Vintage Port · Madeira · Barolo Chinato · Aged Rum · Cognac · Armagnac · Espresso
