Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
12/26/2020
Karenin
39 Reviews
Karenin
"Gentile" by Maria Candida Gentile
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.
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.
