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Post by Poodle

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Fundamental is a new release by the Italian perfume house Rubini. I’d happily sniff the hubby if he was wearing this and it would be a great autumn scent for me too, snuggling with a drink by the fire.

Fundamental by Rubini 2015

Fundamental by Ermano Picco and Cristiano Canali

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Calabrian bergamot, tangerine, flowers
Heart: Grapes, iris, beeswax
Base: Cedar, sandalwood, Java vetiver oil, leather

Fundamental reminds me of a classic men’s fragrance although any woman who likes perfumes that aren’t all flowers, fruit, and sugar could wear this.  This is a classy fragrance that makes me think of a business man in a fine suit or expensive jeans and a crisp white shirt.  I also tend to think “old money” when I smell it.  This isn’t the scent of the man working for the vineyard it’s the scent of the man who owns it, or perhaps his family does.

I imagine driving past the vineyards on a cool autumn day with an extremely handsome man in a fine Italian car with leather and wood accents.  The sun is low in the sky and the leaves are bathed in a golden glow.  We’re heading up to his estate just over there on the hillside, to sip some wine and watch the sun set over the vineyard.

Photo Stolen Flickr

My initial impression after spraying was that this was going to be a citrus heavy scent.  I found it to be sharp at first and perhaps it was my fault for just sticking my nose right in.  Some scents need a little room to move at first.  Happily the sharp citrus note didn’t last but a minute or two and soon it was morphing into a lovely wood and fruit blend.  Even though it starts off bold I found it settled down to a respectable sillage rather quickly.  The grape note is there but it’s not that artificial grape of candy nor is it quite the alcoholic note of wine.  It reminds me of grapes warmed by the sun that have been on the vine a bit too long.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

There’s a honeyed sweetness which simmers just below the surface but I have a hard time calling this a sweet scent.  It’s always tempered by the woods.  Vetiver and leather are noticeable and the leather is smooth and well worn.  As I wear it I find the scent changes from its soft fruity side to its more serious woody side throughout the duration.  I get a retro feel from it most likely from the powdery iris note and the leather but maybe it’s the velvet accord?  In the end I’m left with mostly woody notes.  Overall I find it to be well done and wearable.

Longevity is good on me which means it’s probably long lasting on the rest of the world.  You may want to test before buying since I think Fundamental will wear differently on everyone.

Further reading: Colognoisseur and Persefume
First In Fragrance has €135/50ml
Surrender To Chance has $4.40/.5ml

What scents do you think of as classic men’s fragrances and why?

Hugs
Poodle