Fontevraud

Bruno Fazzolari Fontevraud, his limited edition creation for Luckyscent's 15th anniversary, defies categorization. The note list is a curious mix: bergamot, guava, pear, rose, oakmoss, opoponax, patchouli, amber. For me, the opening to first hour is sharper, characterized more by more oakmoss and patchouli with the bergamot, but the dry down thereafter is a fruity rose mix featuring the guava/pear combination, curious choices, neither of which are my favorite fruit by a long shot, but they work well together here. The result is a dry down that's very pleasant and waers well, particularly for those that the dig the fruity rose subgenre. Performance is solid, fitting for a year-round scent that has some bass to it in terms of the notes. Pricing is higher than BF's usual $110 for 30ml, instead boasting a $145 for 30ml, but that's expected of a limited edition, and frankly, like his other creations, Fontevraud is unique enough that it merits attention. Thus far, Five and Ummagumma remain my favorites from his lineup and the only two that I've given serious consideration to buying full bottles of, but Fontevraud is near both of those. It's quirky to the point those looking for something new and unique should definitely check it out. I'm not sure it's quite right for me, personally, but I appreciate the art in it. 7 out of 10

Bruno Fazzolari's latest creation, an edition of just 50 for Luckyscent is inspired by his travels to this 900 year old abbey in France. It is a lovely gourmand floral chypre which begins off with floral whiffs of rose and opoponax revealing the gourmand notes of pear, guava, bergamot as it begins to settle down and upon complete settling reveals the mossy powdery base of oakmoss, patchouli and amber. Breathtakingly beautiful and transportive, this is yet another showcase for Bruno's intelligent modern perfume blending capabilities. Unisex with moderate sillage and very good longevity, this is yet another winner from this talented young perfumer.

I own 7 of Bruno Fazzolari's fragrances. The creativity and art comes together to produce some wonderful smells. I was very excited when I first heard about Fontevraud. It was the first of his released after I got to know his brand and I bought a bottle off Lucky Scent as soon as it was available. Like all of his fragrances it is high quality and smells very nice. To my untrained nose I smell something close to grapefruit. It smells feminine to me.

Bruno Fazzolari Fontevraud, named after a 900-year-old fortress that became Jean Genet’s prison, is supposed to be a take on a fruity rose chypre. What I get is a lot less than that, unfortunately. An interesting, dry, bitter-boozy opening, followed by a dark amber with a touch of fruitiness and a dark rose. I don’t really get distinct oakmoss or guava, which is a shame — a fruity chypre based around guava would have been cool. This just feels like a bajillion other dark, sweet scents. Maybe I’m anosmic to the good parts? ETA: I was, it turns out, having a bad nose day, and on rewearing, the fruity note did indeed smell like guava.

Starts off dirty, like a dirty patchouli rose. Dries down to a rather pleasant earthy rose scent. Nothing groundbreaking.