Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Chypre Fruite by Montale : Perfume Review

Those of you that read Fragrance Bouquet regularly probably already know of my love for Pierre Montale’s line of perfumes. My feelings for the house can be compared to the feeling of helplessly falling in love with someone whom you realize deeply understands you and what you are about the moment you start talking with them. Suddenly a connection is built, much faster than you’d normally expect. Your needs are anticipated, your sentences completed by the other. There’s that proverbial, yet so often elusive ‘click’. There’s that feeling of elated unease that always accompanies this kind of magic. Eyes lock in a privately shared inferno and feelings come pouring down with the power of torrential rain, flooding the heart and soul who are cheering for more. It’s like a drug, that kind of love. It’s dangerous too, for any disappointment weighs much more heavily than it would in a more conventional love story. I must be lucky, for at least this far, Montale has never disappointed me. Even fragrances that are decidedly not me –such as Chypre Vanille or Dew Musk- are still, in my eyes at least, superior creations I would love to smell on someone else. Today, another scent of this almost overwhelmingly prolific line is presented here, on Fragrance Bouquet: Chypre Fruite. This is a fragrance that goes from being light and innocent, to dark and mysterious. Extremely versatile, it can be carried from morning to evening and can easily be worn during every season – although I would reserve it for more formal evening occasions during the summer months.

The opening is surprisingly light, for a Montale, that is. Ethereal and feminine, it brings thoughts of a gorgeous spring day to mind; the type of spring day that drives everyone out of the house to enjoy the sun and light breeze on their skin. The type of day that transcends time, seemingly lasting forever, until the last ray of sun disappears, breaking the spell. Then suddenly, the scent goes from being light and delicate, to rich and effusive. The warmth of the skin makes the scent positively bloom; the effect is akin to a wonderful fruit and flower puree that was sieved clear and left to simmer until we’re left with a powerful, concentrated, glossy culis of pure, unadulterated, refined wonder. What started off as an unsweetened, fragrant combination of wild- and tea rose whose aroma imparted a sense of intricate vintage lace, has become as ornamentally decorated as gem-studded brocade on acres of luxurious, colorful silk. The fruity notes are candied and rich; velvety, creamy peach on a bed of pungent pineapple that’s drenched in its own sticky juices. Behind it all, an overripe note, a dagger of miasma and taint whose twist instantly fills the heart with sin. Forbidden fruit indeed. The chypre base in turn, is as perfectly groomed as you’d expect, but somehow refrains from being haughty. It is a woman that has been around the block a few times, yet shows no signs of being tired, despite having done so on high heels every single time. She now reclines on a velvet-upholstered fainting couch, her lips twitching with faint mirth. It will take some effort to entertain her.

Images: Both Flickr, originally uploaded by Theodora


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Divina, hope you feel better. I loved your blog as usual. If I was able to buy only one Montale fragrance which one should it be?? just curious what you will say..


take care Bella..

tmp00 said...

This reads as divine!

Anonymous said...

oh my , I must try this...
I have not come to know this house as I should...something abot the bottles.
Mesmerizing review !

PinstripedZebra said...

I just love smelling Chypre Fruite but I have to admit, my favourite of the Montale line is Greyland!

//Z

Anonymous said...

I love this one too. The pineapple note reminds me of the pineapple note in Libertine.

Christine

Shelleybean said...

Divina,

When I read the intro of your review about love it reminded me so much of my boyfriend and I. We met and instantly clicked. Though the first day we met, we looked eye to eye, smiled, but never spoke. Even though we had not spoken yet I felt just by looking into his eyes that we weren't strangers at all, that somehow he could see right through me, know me, and all I was about. Everytime I see him I still remember the first time I laid eyes on him and knew that we belong together. Sorry for the long post just thought i'd stare that with you.

Divina said...

Hi Giulia, dearest! I am indeed feeling better - my only complaint is that my body is still exhausted. As for which of the Montales to try, that's a toughie. Do you like oudh? Do you like roses? They do both exceptionally well. Are you looking for a peculiar musk? They also do the most weird musk I've ever smelled. Do you like sharp notes? They have several fumes which are really sharp to the nose. One thing is certain: you will *LOVE* the sillage and longevity! We are both sillage queens, LOL, and trust me, they are not only extremely powerfum perfumes, they also last forever. (I always wake up with the scent still there when I have used a Montale the previous day) Too, the way the skin shines after application due the high concentration of oils is simply luxurious!

Divina said...

Tom thank you sweetie! Have you tried Musk to Musk? I remember you expressed interest in it sometime ago. I should send you a sample sometime soon :)

Divina said...

Hi Carol! I personally like the bottles but I understand what you mean. They are lacking in romance, I guess? It is however, the best possible way to store fragrance. No light penetrates these bottles.

Divina said...

Z, I loooooove Greyland! I almost bought it when I was in Paris, thankfully it can now be found here as well. I love its sharpness and I understand the appeal it has for you as a man.

Divina said...

Shelley, that is soooooooooo romantic! Thank you so much for sharing this with me... I wish that you never, ever forget how wonderful it felt :) So beautiful to be able to relive those emotions when you look at your loved one. May you always be happy together :)

Divina said...

Christine! That's so interesting! I had not thought about that, but since I have both available here I did a side by side test and you are right! Good nose.

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Hi Divina,

I'm hoping your nasty bout with the flu has escaped you by now. I am learning more about this line this week and just happened to review Aoud Roses Petals. (Being bound to home and couch has its advantages!) Chypre Fruite sounds intriguing and you've undoubtedly done it justice with your creative description. :-)

xo,
T