Vicolo Fiori Etro 2011 Eau de Parfum

For me, Vicolo Fiori starts with a strong dose of mandarin. Normally more citrus-sweet and quite fruity, I perceive more of a mandarin peel here, even a bit scratchy on my skin. My hands always smell like that after peeling an orange. This slightly bitter-fresh mandarin note accompanies the fragrance throughout, while the flowers - I initially catch a hint of lily of the valley, and I also recognize the peony - play a more supporting role here.

Overall, I find "Vicolo Fiori" to be a rather strong and zesty fragrance that lacks any real sweetness and doesn't really have citrus notes in the sense of lemony accents; I might think there’s vetiver in it, as this subtly bitter and crisp-cool floral quality prevails for me. I actually expected it to be different, especially after interpreting the comments.

The fruity note that opens up a bit shyly alongside the mandarin (melon? Definitely not, I would say, nor the mentioned peach) prevents me from labeling the fragrance as "floral-fruity." It scratches in a pleasant way, is summery without really being light.

The base for me consists of a light, non-oriental sandalwood, covered with a fine layer of dust; it smells somewhat matte. The mandarin peel is, by the way, still there.