Magnolia Nobile (2009)
by Acqua di Parma

I was beyond excited to try this fragrance. I almost dreamt about it.

Magnolia Nobile does indeed start out citrusy and alcoholic, however the more it settles on the skin the better it becomes.

The magnolia is obviously a dominant note in this composition, however the lemony finish tends to override it ever so slightly. I was disappointed that the rose and jasmine were not as prominent. The woodsy notes tend to be the main focus in the heart and drydown.

I was honestly enjoying this delightful, Summery take on magnolia until it suddenly transformed into a big, strong, bathroom air-freshner type scent. Please don't get me wrong, it's not terrible, it's just not to my personal tastes.

The scent is very feminine, just not very young or lively. For such an expensive price tag and a niche label, I really did expect something a little better, perhaps more floral and rich.

5th July, 2011.

Great fruity-floral with a very womanly temperament and a slightly green bold substance. The smell is natural under my perception and the outcome very feminine and lush, with a lot of distinguishable nuances. The transition among the elements is natural and progressive without any trace of plasticity or gummy artificiality. I smell, as Off-Scenter does, the similarities with some of the green Annick Goutal's florals which use to be less floral, more marshy and boise'. The starting is decidedly lemony and sour but not in a bursting way. In a while infact the woody floral heart starts to develop its womanly edge. The suavity of magnolia is prominent and its femininity is enhanced by the link between jasmine, rose, tuberose and woodsy patchouli. The sensuality is clear and an hint of vetiver increases the autority of the scent. A stable cedarwood carries substance and severity while the insertion of vanilla introduces smoothness to the woody mildness. The presence of magnolia, rose and vanilla turns the jasmine in a suave and dreamy way and this approach reminds at me the softness of the darker Jasmine Noir. Magnolia Nobile is a well crafted fragrance with all the olfactory knowledge of the italian brand.

23rd May, 2011.

Magnolia grandiflora is the State Flower of Louisiana, my home. It blossoms on one of the most beautiful trees I've ever set eyes on, in or out of bloom. The leaves are amazing, like rich buffed green leather lined with soft brown suede underneath. But the bloom is the star, dazzling in every respect - size, form, color, and a fragrance that could make you weep. I've loved it my whole life. It reminds me of home, and my mother. It's my avatar. Magnolia Nobile is that one - the newly blossomed and breathtaking magnolia grandiflora on the branch. Like you would expect from any good magnolia scent this is tender and creamy, but Magnolia Nobile adds a flourish of cheerful green that keeps it refreshing, and very authentic. It has a soft but beautiful sillage, and moderate longevity...but that's of little importance as I'd be thrilled to reapply. Utterly romantic, sweetly enchanting, and simply exquisite. I love a lot of fragrances, but Magnolia Nobile actually moves me. With this, I've finally found the perfect magnolia grandiflora, as close as I've smelled to the real thing.

17th August, 2010.

Notes: bergamot, lemon, citron, magnolia, jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver and vanilla.

This is how to do a fruity floral. A refreshing, realistic lemon top note melds into an effervescent citrus-seasoned floral heart. While bright and potent, Magnolia Nobile is perfectly balanced and never screams. The citrus is just tart enough, and the floral accord just soft enough, that there’s no hint of the artificially flavored hard candy effect that ruins so many fruity floral fragrances. The composition has the cheerful simplicity of Annick Goutal’s lighter green florals, including Eau du Ciel, Folavril, and Le Chèvrefeuille, but Magnolia Nobile is less green and a bit more emphatically floral than these. It’s also heavier on the aldehydes and more enduring on the skin. There is a clean, fresh quality to this scent, but it’s achieved without resort to stereotypical aquatic notes or large doses of laundry detergent musks.

There’s not an awful lot of development once Magnolia Nobile’s central citrus and floral accord is established. Keeping this accord intact for several hours entails extension of the citrus note beyond the usual duration, but the required chemical reinforcement comes at the expense of some harshness as the drydown approaches. Happily, creamy wood and vanilla base notes eventually counteract the chemical effect, so that Magnolia Nobile’s final stage is a mildly sweet, soft skin scent.

23rd May, 2010. (Last Edited: 24th May, 2010.)

Acqua di Parma Magnolia Nobile

I went to graduate school at the University of Georgia and one of the lingering scent memories of Athens, GA was the smell of the magnolias. Magnolia has a beautiful scent to me and a perfume that is centered around it is one that will appeal to me. Enter Antoine Maisondieu who has designed the 2009 release for Acqua di Parma, Magnolia Nobile. This is the second in the Nobili series to 2004's Iris Nobile. I am a big fan of Iris Nobile because the iris really stands out in that scent and I was hoping for the same thing in Magnolia Nobile. The top is what seems to be the Acqua di Parma trademark opening, bergamot and lemon. I wonder if you are forced to begin with this if you are asked to design a scent for Acqua di Parma. As a beginning it is fine but the sameness of it has the effect of making one stifle a yawn because you've encountered this beginning so many times before. Thankfully, just as in Iris Nobile, the titular star of the show makes its appearance quickly and powerfully as magnolia comes into play. This is a magnolia in full-bloom on a humid early summer day in the South. There is a hint of green but the floral sweet character of magnolia is cleanyl delineated in the heart of this one. The magnolia is joined by a touch of jasmine and a hint of rose but, as in Iris Nobile, those are mere grace notes; the heart of this is magnolia pure and simple. The magnolia stays in place for a good long time before slowly giving way to a woody vanilla base cut with a little vetiver and patchouli. It keeps the sweet level on a par with that of the heart and thus allows the magnolia to continue to linger without being overwhelmed. Magnolia Nobile is a close wearing long lasting eau de parfum. As they did with Iris Nobile, Acqua di Parma has created another singular floral sensation in Magnolia Nobile, let's hope we don't have to wait five more years for the next Nobili.

30th August, 2009.