Ninfeo Mio Goutal 2010

I did everything right. No, I really can’t blame myself. I first used up my sample, then a decant, and only afterwards fished out a used bottle of Ninfeo Mio from the bay. How could I still be misled? But let’s start from the beginning...

... Everything started in the green zone - my approach, my finances, the scent. Just as I had experienced with the sample and decant, the fragrance from the bottle began with Annick Goutal's Italian Nymph Garden: green, citrusy, and herbaceous. Are there still fans of perfumes here that capture the moment and the magic of beautiful nature? Ninfeo Mio does this par excellence. I feel as if I am standing in a sun-drenched, yet well-watered Mediterranean garden. And eating figs... hmmmmmm.
It remains green, but becomes creamier and a bit fruitily sweet (not sugary sweet). In my mind, I am still in the Italian paradise, the sun has retreated a bit over the course of the afternoon, leaving a full, dense green scent in the air. Until.....

--- sniff, sniff, arm-sniff, grunt ---

... yes until I suddenly find myself no longer in Italy, but standing in our kitchen, messing around with curry powder. What the ...?!
I feared mental confusion, the misleading of my nose, a traumatic reaction, delayed by Diors Eau Noire. So I sprayed Ninfeo Mio again, strolled through the wonderful Italian gardens once more, enjoyed the afternoon sun again, ... curry.

My despair knew no bounds.
Had I bought a fake? The bottle, packaging, and seller all seemed extremely credible. Was it due to the weather change? But I had worn Ninfeo Mio in cooler weather before, without curry consequences.
Reviews online mostly reported on my favorite garden, although others mentioned cat urine (?!) and then I actually read a few mentions of Thai dish associations, kitchen spices, and curry. One of the first search results for "Ninfeo Mio Curry" was Somebody's comment six posts below mine.

Further testing revealed: Light spraying and a greater distance from the skin prevent the curry note. Intense spraying ensures that the scent is juicier and longer-lasting, but unfortunately also transforms unpleasantly after 1 hour.

Ninfeo Mio thus leaves me somewhat perplexed. I want to give 100% (sample, decant), but I can’t help but deduct points (bottle). I give 80% and also the advice to simply test Ninfeo Mio. From Italian gardens to curry stalls and wandering cats... one can be curious!
Edit (23.09.2013): NOW I smell cat pee :( Rating lowered.