Bravo — the ‘damascone conversion’ hit me in the subliminal chamber as well ;-). The rest of that Pauline cant - bah humbug. But maybe his scent sword was forged there, as well. Wait…. is this reddit ??
I so enjoy your love affair with fragrance. Your words often pique my curiosity and I have ordered several samples based entirely on your descriptions. If the fragrance you love the were edible , I would be feasting endlessly. I look forward to your posts. Thank you .
In the FX cartoon for adults, “Archer” Malory Archer (VOICED by the late immortal Jessica Walter) had a bottle of this perfume in her luxurious bathroom, a split second throwaway gesture by the illustrators that, for me, epitomized the layered quality of this show’s writing.
Nombre Noir sounds absolutely lovely. What a beautiful memory. I still remember the beautiful southern Rhône white that lit the spark prompting me to become a winemaker 15 years ago. One never forgets.
It was a white Chateauneuf du Pape, a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc. I don't remember the producer now, but it was complex and layered with chalky minerals, white florals, and ripe stone fruit, with a depth I hadn't seen in the American Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs I was more familiar with. There's the wine (or perfume) that sparks your interest in the subject, and then there's the one that makes you say "I need to learn how to do this."
I think it was in the folio columns or the emperor of scent that you described Nombre Noir as « the Sainte Chapelle stained glass in liquid form », I happened to visit the Sainte Chapelle today for the first time in ~15 years, and was thinking about that phrase, I get home and see the notification for this article, the universe is odd sometimes! Would love a chance at a decant 😊
I still remember the blind smelling we did with Linda Pilkington and her partner where NN won over some heady competitors!!! What an evening and an amazing fragrance!!! 💕
Funnily enough- perhaps along with all your readers, I have been thinking about nombre noir since you started this Substack and wondering if would ever have the chance to smell this. If I win the lottery, I would happily send this on to another to share the love.
No need to include me in the draw. I have a bottle, thanks to your mentioning eBay seller Pudelnarisch in one of your essays on Nombre Noir. I would never have spent that much on a vintage fragrance back then, for fear that it wasn't real, but when I saw his name, I knew it was. I get it out once each year in the dead of winter.
Love your writing; look forward to reading what you publish on Substack. Each one is like a little surprise gift- I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I know I will love it. Thank you!
I stopped wearing violets and irises because all the modern creations are too woodsy for me. I felt that there was no wood in the classics - for example in Borsari.
But it could be related to my increasing sensitivity to wood, I hate cashmerans, ambroxans, etc. Maybe I didn't notice wood notes before... interesting, I have to try it.
BTW, Luca: do you plan to visit any perfume event this year, Esxence, Paris Perfume Week, or Pitti?
Sounds like you had a damascone conversion, Luca. Please include me in the draw!
😂Ha! I wish I’d thought of that, it would have impressed Tania no end. I’m tempted to pass it off as mine…
Tried it. It worked. Had to own up.
Bravo — the ‘damascone conversion’ hit me in the subliminal chamber as well ;-). The rest of that Pauline cant - bah humbug. But maybe his scent sword was forged there, as well. Wait…. is this reddit ??
I so enjoy your love affair with fragrance. Your words often pique my curiosity and I have ordered several samples based entirely on your descriptions. If the fragrance you love the were edible , I would be feasting endlessly. I look forward to your posts. Thank you .
Dear Luca, as long as you keep writing about fragrance like this, I will always be subscribed.
The story, the black bottle and the perfumer designer's demise makes me think of David Bowie and Black Star.
In the FX cartoon for adults, “Archer” Malory Archer (VOICED by the late immortal Jessica Walter) had a bottle of this perfume in her luxurious bathroom, a split second throwaway gesture by the illustrators that, for me, epitomized the layered quality of this show’s writing.
Nombre Noir sounds absolutely lovely. What a beautiful memory. I still remember the beautiful southern Rhône white that lit the spark prompting me to become a winemaker 15 years ago. One never forgets.
Southern Rhone white? Do tell! 😉
It was a white Chateauneuf du Pape, a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc. I don't remember the producer now, but it was complex and layered with chalky minerals, white florals, and ripe stone fruit, with a depth I hadn't seen in the American Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs I was more familiar with. There's the wine (or perfume) that sparks your interest in the subject, and then there's the one that makes you say "I need to learn how to do this."
Funereal packaging and look. Commercial disaster. Anonymous and suicidal perfumer... A cursed perfume. Yes, very in tune with Rimbaud.
I think it was in the folio columns or the emperor of scent that you described Nombre Noir as « the Sainte Chapelle stained glass in liquid form », I happened to visit the Sainte Chapelle today for the first time in ~15 years, and was thinking about that phrase, I get home and see the notification for this article, the universe is odd sometimes! Would love a chance at a decant 😊
As always, charmed by prose, illuminated by science. Please include me the draw.
I still remember the blind smelling we did with Linda Pilkington and her partner where NN won over some heady competitors!!! What an evening and an amazing fragrance!!! 💕
YES!
Oh my goodness I would love to try this. Also appreciate the shout out for the original Zen by Shiseido, one of my all time favourites
Funnily enough- perhaps along with all your readers, I have been thinking about nombre noir since you started this Substack and wondering if would ever have the chance to smell this. If I win the lottery, I would happily send this on to another to share the love.
That last sentence! Wow. Intrigued.
No need to include me in the draw. I have a bottle, thanks to your mentioning eBay seller Pudelnarisch in one of your essays on Nombre Noir. I would never have spent that much on a vintage fragrance back then, for fear that it wasn't real, but when I saw his name, I knew it was. I get it out once each year in the dead of winter.
Love your writing; look forward to reading what you publish on Substack. Each one is like a little surprise gift- I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I know I will love it. Thank you!
Wait! Do Ionones really have a wood element?
I stopped wearing violets and irises because all the modern creations are too woodsy for me. I felt that there was no wood in the classics - for example in Borsari.
But it could be related to my increasing sensitivity to wood, I hate cashmerans, ambroxans, etc. Maybe I didn't notice wood notes before... interesting, I have to try it.
BTW, Luca: do you plan to visit any perfume event this year, Esxence, Paris Perfume Week, or Pitti?
Yes Esxence two days
I look forward to your reviews of the news, it's so hard for me to understand some of them...
Will definitely report back!