Encounters Francesca Bianchi 2023

Wow, this scent is an intriguing personality. From the very beginning, it radiates an exceptionally sensual, golden sandalwood note for me: Creamy, warm, and inviting. The oud is also present and gives the fragrance a beautiful animalic quality that has something of an animal fur (rather less of a cow barn). Encounters gives me a feeling of enveloping, comforting twilight. Like a dark, cozy cave that I can retreat into. Like a fox den.

The fragrance is very dense, radiates little, and therefore becomes truly interesting primarily up close. As it develops, the gentle, earthy powderiness of the iris becomes more prominent, and here the association with animal fur arises in me again. The scent conveys a beautiful golden warmth and imparts a certain intimacy. However, what bothers me as it progresses is the slide into a slightly dusty quality, leading to a loss of depth that makes Encounters so captivating at the beginning.
I am surprised by the many comments regarding the association with soda. Sometimes a slightly sour component is perceptible, but I actually attribute this more to the oud animalic than to the citrus notes listed in the pyramid. The citrus remains exceptionally subtle for me, just a small sprinkle that brightens the fragrance a bit.

As a small conclusion: What particularly distinguishes the fragrance for me is that despite its animalic and natural closeness, it carries something totally luxurious and noble within it. It radiates sensuality, warmth, and security for me.