Bello Rabelo Liquides Imaginaires 2013

... and retreat to the salon for a chat until the coffee is served. I may then lead the ladies."
How this story continues can be read in many places.
The fact is that the "ladies" had to leave the dining room after dessert and cheese.
There, the tablecloths were removed - probably to make it easier for the washerwoman when the gentlemen once again made a mess with port and ash.
The conversations turned to politics and other topics that seemed unsuitable for "female ears".

Well, fortunately, we no longer have to "emigrate" and leave our comfortable place at the table to enjoy a glass of port wine as women; we are even allowed to partake of the once male drink in company!
I love a glass of port or sherry, especially during these small talk events; you have something in your hand, can sip from the glass now and then while the conversation flows, and it’s not as much as serving wine.
(This also allows for the possibility of politely slipping away after emptying the glass.)
I live consciously through my senses, and so this drink is always a revelation for me.
Whether it’s the young classic "Ruby Port", a floral rosé port in long drinks, or the restrained "White Port" at the table; they are all worth a little glass at their time.
However, I particularly like the "Tawny Port", which brings the necessary maturity. Perhaps that’s why we get along so well.
The right wine requires the right barrels. Thus, port wine is traditionally still aged in oak barrels (mostly from France).
When these barrels have served their time in the wine cellars and their wood is wonderfully saturated with port wine aroma, they are not simply discarded: no, these barrels begin a second life!
A second life that is also determined by the optimization of enjoyment.

Part of these barrels moves on to Northern Italy. There, in Modena, according to ancient tradition, "Aceto Balsamico" is still made at the birth of a daughter. Stored in airy rooms, with part of the liquid evaporating (in whisky, this is called "Angel's Mist"), this noble liquid is transferred to ever smaller barrels after a number of years, until finally reaching the peak of maturity in the smallest barrel.
The truly noble "Aceto Balsamico" is then brought by the daughter as a dowry into marriage.

The large former port and sherry barrels are sold to Norway. There, in Trondheim, they are filled with aquavit, which then embarks on a long journey by one of the large ships to Tasmania and back.
After crossing the equator twice and many weather and time zone changes, this aquavit is then ready: it is bottled and labeled with the well-known blue-red labels. On the back, the duration of the journey (from departure to return) and the name of the ship are noted.
This gives the aquavit its special maturity and smoothness, making it unmistakable.

But now, after this detailed excursion into the land of port wine, I finally arrive at "Bello Rabelo": many readers will think!!
Like all "Liquides Imaginaires" I have encountered so far, "Bello Rabelo" is also very wine-heavy.
The full-bodied aroma of the noble port wine, which permeates the entire fragrance artwork, is accompanied by the oak wood of the barrels.
This immediately creates a certain heaviness; underlaid with the sweetness of dried fruits.
Anyone who soaks dried fruits and then cooks them knows their incomparable scent - so sweet and so fruity!
The sweetness of these fruits pairs excellently with our port wine: it lifts this fragrance. I almost want to say: "Bello Rabelo" is already a little tipsy!
This already fruity-aromatic something becomes spicier with immortelle and cistus; the fragrance spirit also receives additional small resinous spikes from benzoin. They need to be somewhat "embalmed" to not disturb the harmoniously rounded fragrance progression too much, although they belong there.
A large dose of vanilla, exotic-erotic as always, completes this pleasantly fragrant, not everyday perfume beau!
Now it feels comfortable, proudly takes its position, and allows anyone who comes near to partake in its glory.
"Bello Rabelo" is not made for shy, sober cocoa or water drinkers!
On one hand, it loves the big stage, but on the other hand, it also enjoys the typical intimacy of a library warmed by a fireplace, where long entertaining conversations are held.

A great, yes, spectacular scent, unfortunately with not too great longevity.
However, it certainly makes sense: port and sherry wines are also served in small glasses.
So let’s enjoy "Bello Rabelo" in small, better: short doses and delight in its exceptional appearance!
It doesn’t always have to be a small barrel; its contents and the surrounding oak wood must be particularly valuable!
A few spritzes of "Bello Rabelo" will do just fine!

Here, my special thanks to Yatagan, who sent me this - now unfortunately already empty - bottle.
I drink/scent to your health, my dear fragrance friend!