Basile pour Femme
Basile (1986)

Initially, this smells "perfumey", a term I use with reluctance but which describes this style of vintage very well. The opening cacophony of notes is hard to break down, but I get an impression of aldehydes, clove & perhaps carnation. After a few minutes, a very elegant & smooth white floral accord emerges, & a little later a soapy rose. One hour in, it morphs into a warm, sweet amber with woods & a nice floral depth. Seven hours in there's been no further development, but it's still humming along softly.

I had never heard of this obscure Italian designer brand before, but this one has some rave reviews on Fragrantica, & I can see why. From the notes list, which includes tangerine & cinnamon, I expected this to smell quite Christmassy. But it's much classier than that, & although I'm not fond of the opening, the drydown takes some very pleasant turns indeed.