Donna Acqua di Portofino 2008

I have never been to Portofino. But it is beautiful there, in this small harbor town in northern Italy, very close to Genoa. The narrow, multi-story houses, plastered in all shades of yellow, stand closely together. In front, blue water in the harbor bay with colorful boats and white yachts, behind it lush greenery in the form of abundant Mediterranean flora. Very Italian, picturesque. Che bello.

The typical Portofino houses are immortalized on the pretty heavy glass bottle, which also carries a mini-booklet around its neck. The fragrance pyramid is explained in two languages, and there is also a tiny little history of the Portofino sailing yacht and regatta tradition.

Because the scent is quite sporty. Italian sporty, not American sporty or even drugstore sporty. What I mean is: The sportiness here is casual, laid-back, chic, the sun is shining, it’s warm, you wear white clothing, eat healthy Mediterranean cuisine, and enjoy a good wine even at lunch. Funds are available and life is carefree.

Donna by Acqua di Portofino is a dominant woody scent, with the wood being drenched in lime-green citrusy-hesperidic essences. This strong scent duality (citrusy - woody) is indeed something Donna shares with the other Italian Light Blue, however, Donna is significantly woodier and more refined. The top note is citrusy-fresh and almost a little green (the apple is not detectable to my nose). In the heart note, ginger dominates for me, bringing a fine bright and fresh, almost ethereal sharpness. The flowers are just a subtle accompaniment. The base, which is almost present from the very beginning, holds the strong woods that smell intensely fresh and cut open, perfectly enhanced by the other fragrance notes to achieve this Italian radiance. The musk accentuates a fine powderiness.

Great in summer, but also wearable in spring and even in golden autumn, because it radiates a certain warmth for me. Longevity and sillage are top, by the way.