Gentile

If this scent smelled of anything it would be extremely high quality. Gentile is a ridiculously opulent piece of work but at the same time very simple, stripped back and Italian in it's essence. The opening is very green indeed but still with a thickness and touch of warmth backing it. Despite not being listed I think there's a hint of resin in there like a galbanum or olibanum, labdanum just very, very subtly bringing it all together. It's mainly the geranium and vetiver in this scent which are the back bone and hints of metallic basil and herbal/floral tones chime perfectly around that strong base. It definitely has a masculine Italian feel about it and reminds me of several Italian houses. I audibly sighed with pure satisfaction when I first got a whiff of this but after a few minutes started to question if It would be something I'd wear. However, in the dry down I think I was convinced that I would wear this for sure. It settles down very nicely and nestles into my skin getting a touch dirtier. I really like this one, it's a perfectstart to my exploration of this house. Longevity and projection were good although it sits quite close quite soon but I can live with that. Update: Longevity is very good on this one and I have to say any doubts I had about it subsided the longer the dry down went on. Thoroughly love this perfume and will no doubt be going on my want list.

thank you lobster 2010 after reading your review, and lucky timing as the perfumed court started to offer some of their scents I sprang for a small spray to try it out as I do enjoy these types of scents. the opening of this is quite delightful and reeks of quality. very impressed on my initial introduction to this. I would agree on being a scent for gentlemen. this could easily become a love fragrance for me.. very nice indeed. I would love to read more comments on this. now I am eager to test out some others over time. right now I put this on the same scale as my Lorenzo villoresi uomo. for me that is saying something. sample this one if you can. great mans fragrance, I could see this smelling wonderful on a woman as well. I did get a compliment about twenty minutes after applying it. love the vetiver scent that comes up to you , warm ..Great burst of a lemon, vetiver-floral vibe to me. The vetiver adds depth and warmth to this fragrance, reminds me a bit of Clive Christian No 1 on my first sniff and then becomes it's own fragrance. Gentile is a quality men's fragrance that deserves some attention. Pricy but is a parfum extrait . Less is more. Gentile is a very handsome fragrance for a man to wear and will represent you to the world with style and finesse. .

When reviewing a fragrance, a true aficionado ought to look beyond the matter of gender. The traditional (and strict) “Pour Femme/Homme” labelling might be used for the benefit of the average consumer, but to the perfumer lover such information is simply superfluous. Instead of the existing norm, if I had to describe a scent, I’d rather use the softer (and inclusive) term “feminine-/masculine-leaning”. Maria Candida Gentile’s fragrance “Gentile” is an excellent example of a masculine-leaning fragrance. Being composed of only four main notes frequently employed in “Pour Homme” perfumes (namely basil, geranium, osmanthus and vetiver), one is left to wonder what the final product will smell like, given the limited palette of, well, let’s be honest, run-of-the-mill notes. On a number of occasions Ms Candida Gentile has proved to me that she’s a magician when it comes to composing perfumes and that even with very little she’s capable of creating something far from mundane. Gentile’s opening is intensely verdant- in fact, to the point of actually tingling one’s nose. Within fifteen minutes, however, the green accord gives way to the perfume’s floral heart. Both geranium and osmanthus soften it and clear the way for the vetiver base. At this point, “Gentile” is smooth while retaining its masculine-leaning character. Who is “Gentile” for? My initial answer was: for a gentleman who has green fingers and a heart of gold, for a man who one loves to huddle up to for warmth, comfort and his beautiful scent. Yet in my honest opinion, this fragrance is bound to enchant anyone who can appreciate a well-made fragrance that smells like the great outdoors and good old times.

A minty green opening and a fast-fading dry down into immortelle and hay, like a long, late-summer walk through the Italian countryside. This is a solidly male-leaning fragrance for traditionalists: shower, shave and into the working week with a fragrance that projects confidence, competence and gioia di vivere. Sadly my partner dismissed it as "Common" (meaning 'Over-familar and not in any way special.' See Q80's review below for more of the same. It is somewhat derivative ... but that doesn't stop it being likeable.

Maria Candida Gentile Gentile (2012) - geranium vetiver - #mariacandidagentile creates a fresh fragrance without it being a traditional italian cologne. Starts with sweet Basil, then contrasted by Geranium (fresh rose and mint). I also get apricot-like Osmanthus, white musk, earthy patchouli and vetiver on the base. The fragrance is well-built with the geranium and vetiver accord holding strong by well-chosen fixatives, creating a mint, musk, and dried grass combo that is a pleasure to wear.