Organization: Starbucks Coffee, Seattle, Washington
Coffee: Bella Vista Tres Rios
Reviewed: June 1998
Overall Rating: 87 points
Aroma: 7
Acidity: 5
Body: 6
Flavor: 7
Aftertaste: 5
Roast (Agtron): Dark (39/40)
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Origin: Costa Rica

Notes: Though dark-roasted, not overbearingly pungent, sweet with a touch of vanilla in the cup and aroma. Entire profile deepens, smoothes, and balances in the finish. This coffee currently is offered through Starbucks' mail-order service. It will be available in Starbucks stores sometime in June. (1998)

Blind Assessment: Liveliest and most resonant of the dark-roast samples in the cupping: Less overbearingly pungent, sweeter, with a touch of vanilla in cup as well as aroma. The entire profile deepens, smooths, and balances in the finish.

Who should drink it: Those who need proof that a dark-roast coffee can preserve character and distinction. Starbucks continues to amaze me with the quality of its mail-order coffees. There remain seasoned coffee people deep in the green corporate belly making excellent buying decisions and roasting with tact. I hope they don't end up getting lost in some future marketing plan.

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