Balle de Match (2002)
by Parfums de Nicolaï

Good lord I can't believe a bitter grapefruit note could last so long. And be that intense. Bolstered by woodsy-like accords (patchouli, incense) it really delivers a punch. Also the berry and juniper leaves a fruity freshness going. Very strange and interesting to work your nose around it. Not too enamored by it to warrant a bottle, though.

Quite a peculiar fragrance this, going by the notes it doesn't seem to be the sum of its parts. The Grapefruit is the most obvious element in the mix but it's neither zesty nor acidic, rather it has the same soft and sweet feel of a galia melon. I suspect it’s the juniper berries that gives Balle de Match its soft and fruity quality. There is also just the trace of incense in the blend but oddly enough it's not smoky. And though not stated, ‘pink’ pepper keeps the fragrance on the bright side whilst providing just a little spiciness.

Zztopp has done a great job below in trying to describe quite a unique fragrance, though I’m sure he’d agree this is one you need to try for yourself to truly get a hold on it. Very, very nice.

I completely agree with zztopp’s wonderful assessment of Balle de Match and there’s not much more I can add.

Balle de Match is one of the best citrus scents I’ve come across so far. The aspect I love most about the composition is the way the juniper berry and peppery accords work so well with the zesty citrus topnotes. The drydown is quite subtle but the clarity and richness of the lemon and grapefruit are still there for quite some time.

It’s a refined and classy scent with pretty good longevity, especially for something of this ilk. I’ve been holding back, for some time, from getting a bottle of this but I may soon cave in, with the summer heat rapidly approaching.

Notes:
Top notes : grapefruit, lemon
Heart :spicy : pink berries, pepper, juniper berries
Bottom notes : patchouli, oakmoss and frankincense

Balle de Match (BdM) is an easy to wear woody citrus anchored by an excellent grapefruit note. The opening is all grapefruit - but this is not the forceful acidic kind as in Guerlain's Pamplelune. In BdM, the grapefruit reveals all its facets: its sharp and slightly bitter alright, but its also smooth and juicy. Pairing it with a lemon note high in limonene content prevents it from developing that acerbic quality that can make the Guerlain hard to swallow.The limoneny lemon note tempers the acidity and accentuates the tangy fruity aroma of grapefruit. So yea, the grapefruit note is in great form here. What about the rest of the fragrance?

Soon, BdM starts melding into a muted spicy fruity accord .. not unlike the aroma of an indian fruit chaat. The grapefruit note extends all the way into the drydown lending a cloud of juicy softness to the entire accord, with its spicy cohorts uplifted by a juniper berry note high in pine content and low in its balsamic effect. The woody incense notes provide a warm base to rest on, but BdM is very much about a tart juicy spicy grapefruit accord.

BdM is also suprisingly long lasting for an eau de sport concentration - it easily lasts more than 5 hours on my skin. Its not a terribly complex fragrance, nor does it evolve much, but those are pretty much the only criticisms I can make. BdMs tart juicy grapefruit will provide office relief, and its spicy-woody base will lend your evenings an air of casual sophistication. What else do you want from an Eau de Sport ?

Rating: 8.25/10.0

being an ardent fan/admirer of New York..my expectations were high on this one....and it failed. smells like fresh ginger ale overall, with a subtle grapefruit note which steals the show. develops into a musky base with hints of wood and incense. it's just that im not interested in these kinda scents at this moment...theres too much action out there and very less money to spend. Ill pass.

Very good Citrus scent, infact one of the best I've smelled. It has a shimmering "glossy" quality only for a brief bit in the opening and then progresses to take on a "matte" persona. It's highly transparent, revealing its every facet, evenly spread out across your olfactory senses.

Has a pleasant musky slightly powdery green drydown reminding me of the way the musc is handled in another perfume called "New York" from the same house. One can make out the distinct PdN handling.