Rosa Alba Annette Neuffer 2015

The title of the Dukes of Alba is one of the oldest titles in the Spanish nobility and was granted to the Álvarez de Toledo family as early as 1465. Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart (María del Rosario Cayetana Paloma Alfonsa Victoria Eugenia Fernanda Teresa Francisca de Paula Lourdes Antonia Josefa Fausta Rita Castor Dorotea Santa Esperanza Fitz-James Stuart y de Silva Falcó y Gurtubay) - often referred to as Cayetana de Alba, was the 18th Duchess of Alba. She was very popular and well-known in Spain, standing out everywhere with her white, permanently waved mane and indulging in various eccentricities in her later years, which were mostly generously overlooked.

When she married the 25 years younger Alfonso Diez Carabantes for the third time at the age of 85, she had fought a long battle with her children for this marriage. For three years, she fought for the right to marry Alfonso and ultimately prevailed. She divided her inheritance early with notarized approval, causing her six children to give up their resistance. Just a few days before the wedding, she obtained the king's consent from then-King Juan Carlos.

She passed away in November 2014 at the age of 88, leaving the title of Duke of Alba to her eldest son. The family of the Duques de Alba is among the wealthiest noble families in Spain. Their lands and various buildings are included, and surely in one or another garden of the family, the Rosa Alba blooms, this nostalgic white to soft pink rose with its wonderful scent.

Cayetana de Alba would surely have appreciated Annette Neuffer's Rosa Alba. Rosa Alba is a truly beautiful white to soft pink rose, but it has a bit of spice to it - unlike the similarly named plant.

Citrus blossoms - here orange blossoms - and green pepper create a lovely, spicy, and very temperamental opening. After about 20 - 30 minutes, however, they obediently give way to the rose. And from here on, it’s all about rose, rose, rose! Distinct, but not loud, reserved but not boring. It is sweet, but not so much that it could become unpleasant. The pepper ensures that it flashes through every now and then.

Unfortunately, I could only grant it 70% as its longevity leaves much to be desired. After about 2 hours, all the glory is over and there’s nothing left on my wrist - in other words, nothing to perceive. With better longevity, it would certainly be a candidate for purchase for me, even though I am not the Duchess of Alba ;-)

Thank you dear Eva for introducing me to this rose as well.