Countdown day 4

Day 4 of our Christmas fragrance countdown is here (plays little fanfare on piano). I will be taking you through all sorts of notes on this olfactory journey, one of which is rose in some of its wonderful manifestations. I have only recently started to appreciate this note in perfumery, and I think this stems from the days when I had to smell like Clint Eastwood,Tom Selleck or perhaps even Croc Dundee. It had to be leather and musk, perhaps with a hint of captured Rhino. Now my nose appreciates a wider spectrum, though of course I still hunt dangerous beasts and wear medallions on Tuesdays. So, Rossy de Palma, or as it is known now, Eau de Protection(2009) is from the wonderful and original house Etat Libre et D'orange. It is a collaboration between perfumers Antoine Lie and Antoine Masondieu. The opening is a dance between a tart and slightly sour Bergamot and very energetic ginger which awaken you to the fact that this is not your classical introductory citrus/herb top, rather something with attitude and a little edge. I get something a little green and fresh, yet still moody. This wonderfully jousting opening soon gives way to the real beauty of this fragrance, a bleeding and syrupy Bulgarian Rose. This is combined with Jasmine, a whiff of Incense and a warm treacle and discreetly earthy patchouli combo, which counters any hint of sweetness overload. This effect is really quite stunning, and feels very much like a Gothic Rose with no hint of rebaked french classicism. It is a wonderful contemporary treatment of Rose and I love it. The base is a warm cocoa and benzoin affair, which leaves a warming and contented end. This never gets too sweet, and carries beautifully and knowingly, the memory of the top and glorious middle, which sadly last for a relatively short time. You will crave more the moment it has vanished. Does Rossy de Palma leave a message? Perhaps that Beauty, and all its empty conventions mean nothing if decided on someone else's terms. Praise be to the nose of the beholder, or do I mean the Be-smeller?