In the last part of the Memento Collection by Filippo Sorcinelli, I would like to introduce you to the three Extraits de Parfum Dòmm, Chiesa d’Oro and Basilica di Assisi, which will take us to Milan, Venice and Assisi in central Italy. I wouuld like to recommend my last two posts Memento Collection by Filippo Sorcinelli – Sacred Memories and Sacristie Des Arbres, Rosa fiorita and Pont. Max. by Filippo Sorcinelli to anyone who would like to find out more about the aforementioned and newly launched collection by this exceptional Italian perfumer.
Dòmm – Off to Milan!
The Dòmm, or Milan Cathedral, is the first destination on our olfactory journey through famous sacristies and the memories of Filippo Sorcinelli. Construction of the northern Italian church began in the 14th century and was extended again and again over the centuries until Milan Cathedral was finally completed in its current form in the 18th century.
It is called “aquilonare”, from the late Latin aquilonaris, which means north. It is the old sacristy of Milan Cathedral, the first nucleus of the cathedral built in 1386, in the middle of a city center overcrowded with buildings. It is the first place that was built after the foundation stone of the cathedral was laid. The sacristy is not only rich in valuable marble, sculptures and frescoes, but also in furniture and cupboards and is still used today by priests for their vestments before the holy rites.
For Filippo Sorcinelli, the ingredients patchouli, styrax resin, musk, jasmine, chocolate, bergamot, Virginia cedarwood and black pepper are representative of the scent of the sacristies in Milan Cathedral. There are actually two of them, one facing north and one facing south.
Dark and extremely earthy and resinous, Dòmm starts the fragrance thanks to the striking notes of patchouli and styrax, which give the creation an incredible presence and depth from the very first moment. Greenish, woody coniferous nuances combine with the dry spiciness of pepper, while the citrusy freshness of bergamot wafts like a cool breeze through the dark halls of Milan Cathedral.
Tart dark chocolate slowly flows into the creation and intensifies its profound character, in which soapy accents gradually become apparent. A very original, greenish-resinous and woody-spicy fragrance, for every occasion and season. In my eyes, it has a rather masculine feel due to the barbershop touches.
Chiesa d’Oro – Church of gold
St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice can certainly be described as a golden church. The bright façade shines almost golden in the sunlight, but the real highlight is inside the cathedral. As a symbol of Venice’s wealth, gold is the central color of the sacred building. The ceilings are decorated with magnificent gold mosaics, as are the portals, the altar and many other details inside the church, such as four gilded bronze horse statues that were … well, let’s say: taken over during the fall of Constantinople in the 13th century. It is not for nothing that St. Mark’s Basilica is also known in Italy as the Chiesa d’Oro or church of gold. The ingredients vanilla, tonka bean, vetiver, ambergris, musk, damask rose, jasmine, carnation and bergamot are intended to reflect the fragrance of this special cathedral.
Jasmine blossoms luxuriantly in the opening of Chiesa d’Oro, indolic-soft, beguilingly opulent and creamy-floral. I immediately perceive mossy facets, accompanied by soapy rose and powdery accents. But at the heart of this composition from Filippo Sorcinelli is jasmine. Nostalgic in appearance, thanks to chypre moments, this fragrant St. Mark’s Cathedral is a completely different house number than the creations of the Memento Collection that we have sniffed so far.
Rather classic and elegant, less sacred – even the incense is completely absent here – and without the special contemplative mood inherent in the other five fragrances. I’m excluding Rosa fiorita here, because this was a beautiful rose fragrance and thus also a floral composition within this line of Sorcinelli’s memories. Perfect for all lovers of jasmine, chypre fragrances and creations with a vintage vibe. Tends to be more feminine and for special occasions or the evening than for the office, but can be worn seasonally without restriction.
Basilica di Assisi – Memento Collection
The Basilica San Francesco is located in the Umbrian town of Assisi and comprises an upper and lower church as well as a Franciscan monastery. The saint and founder of the order, Francis of Assisi, is buried in the church, making it a popular place of pilgrimage. The ornate decorations and frescoes by famous painters such as Giotto are also well worth seeing for those interested in art history. For Filippo Sorcinelli, the sacristy of the Basilica di Assisi smells of tonka bean, benzoin resin, styrax resin, ambergris, rose, dried fruit, patchouli, labdanum (cistus), lemon, bergamot, petitgrain and incense.
In Basilica die Assisi, tart, fresh citrus fruits meet the hay-like coumarin notes of tonka bean and creamy, balsamic resins. The creation is very light and airy, gentle, flooded with light and wonderfully cozy. The tonka bean is very dominant, accompanied by nectar-sweet rose, which breathes a little airiness into the fragrance. The composition gradually fades away with warm and powdery notes.
Basilica di Assisi is a soft and comforting extrait de parfum that is rather transparent and subtle despite the ingredients used, making it a pleasant fragrance companion for every occasion and season. A successful conclusion to this unique and varied collection from Filippo Sorcinelli.
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