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.

So nice, so refreshing. Starts out sharp and green with basil. There is geranium joining in and vetyver keeps the sharp freshness going. A cologne style fragrance in perfume strength so lasting power is excellent. For those terribly hot summer days in crowded trains and metros!

61st Opens sweet, vetiver, citrus, musty patchouli, but dries down to a band-aid medicine cabinet smell, like it has oak moss (but it’s not listed). It leans gentle masculine at mid and dry-down. 6/10

A fragrance centered around a woody green vetiver accord. It is neither smoky, dark nor really earthy. Rather, it is bitterly green and youthfully fresh, and thanks to the geranium, with its rosy, bright minty smile, it almost verges on the fougère category... a light, soapy scent evoking memories of the Italian Riviera in the 1960s. A touch of basil to enhance the Mediterranean, a herbaceous green atmosphere. A brief flash of sharpness. Osmanthus blossoms reveal the sun’s yellowish floral glow, yet also - surprisingly for a fragrance for a young man - a hint of animality and impetuous passion, blended with a breeze of salty sea air, typical of the perfumer’s style. Moss in the base allows the fragrance to deepen into an (olive) oil-like note, adds probably the colour to the juice, it feels very naturalistic. A wonderfully hidden, complexe and dense perfume - an unusual interpretation of Vetiver - for connoisseurs slowly to discover, with a classically timeless touch. A solid longevity and more private projection, perfect. Maria Candida Gentile was the first Italian woman to be awarded the title of ‘Maître Parfumeur’ in Grasse, Provence, and now creates her fragrances in her own studio on the Ligurian coast in Sarzana. She dedicated the fragrance Gentile to her son in 2012.

Wonderful aromatic fragrance... I tried this on recommendation from a friend. A full, rich masculine smell which conjures up an old fashioned image of luxury. I can detect juniper berry and geranium, as well as olibanum and resins, and some herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Together these create a wonderful mix which would smell great on a man in my opinion. There is so much to like here, it would probably take too long to summarise, but I would just say that this is one which brings back the smell of masculinity yet still being modern. That is something that is hard to do, which is not to follow the market trends and try to make a blockbuster. Gentile by Maria Candida Gentile shows that you can make men smell good the old fashioned way, with herbs and a good updated formula. Like an antique coat worn by a modern, trendy man, or a classic fitted suit. Some things never go out of style, this is one to try.

I am glad WilliamVargas enjoyed this scent - it will forever be in my top 10 list. I'll keep it short. Gentile is a masterpiece in not having to be complex in terms of what notes you pick out, but a masterpiece for the complex simplicity of the few notes you do pick out. Sounds confusing? Get a sample :P Honestly though, you get a fresh vetiver and geranium sprinkled to life by basil and nuanced by osmanthus. The evolution of the notes and interplay is pure genius craftmanship. Maria is an artist! If you want a truly outstanding scent for safe everyday use, then consider this fragrance. Yes it has a price, but it is justified for sure.

Gentile opens with a fresh floral character where geranium is the dominant note. It provides a crisp, slightly minty sensation, while the vetiver adds some structure underneath. The overall impression is of a clean, white soap with a slightly metallic character. I liked this one more than I expected. The scent has a masculine profile while keeping the floral elements in check. It feels classy and, as the name suggests, gentle. At times I pick up a subtle limoncello-like nuance in the background that I'm not entirely convinced by, although I need to evaluate it further. High longevity.

Geranium, basil, and clean vetiver in an aquatic slight metallic frame. Well... i can' go directly meh but i need to describe it before! this is the dreadful common masculine labelled fragrance! the safe choice, a designer's fragrance, the common blend! you can name it DKNY, Lacost, CK, in a Maria Candida Gentile bottle. Now clearly, MEH....