Malbec
O Boticário (2004)

Another great brazilian "classic" I've tested these days of my permanence here in the brazilian North/Est. Malbec is the originary "wine-Malbec inspired" fragrance that formed the incipit of a rich following group of new creations Malbec representing the great Malbec collection from O Boticário, a collection that includes great successes such as Malbec Noir 2015, Malbec Ultra Blue 2022, Malbec Black 2019, Malbec Club Intenso 2018, Malbec Gold 2016, etc. Malbec by O Boticário is a winey-woody-spicy semi-oriental fragrance for men launched in 2004. The nose behind this fragrance is Napoleão Bastos. Born from the cozy elegance of the great Argentine wine variety and the concept behind the winemaking, Malbec by O Boticário takes its name and soul from the Malbec grape. The fragrance is crafted with an unusual method, some of its olfactory notes are aged in French oak barrels, a nod to wine maturation. There is a subtle echo of wine: not sweet or boozy but a refined, dark-fruit nuance evoking tannins, oak and the rich atmosphere of a wine cellar. Among many protagonists of the formula the notes really standing out from my skin are juicy cassis, violet leaves, winey spicy resins, winey woods, musk and benzoin, in a masculine woody-oriental combination. Malbec opens with fresh, slightly fruity top notes touched by plum-like richness, then deepens into warm spices and aromatic woods. As it settles, it becomes smoother, with a velvety accord of musk, amber and sandalwood, retaining a dry woody backbone reminiscent of aged wine barrels. Malbec represents a modern, sophisticated masculinity, intense yet polished, sensual yet elegant. Its concept blends perfumery and enology, translating the character of Malbec wine into scent: bold, complex and crafted with depth. The use of oak-barrel treated notes, combined with red and dark fruit facets, gives Malbec a streak of fruity (plummy-citric-resinous), wine-toned richness throughout its evolution, something juicy, subtly resinous and vinous, as if the fragrance carries the deep, macerated sweetness of fruit resting in wood. A warm, woody-amber base with creamy sandalwood, soft musk and dry cedar/oak nuances closes the round. A faint dark-fruit trace lingers as a subtle echo of the Malbec tone. Performances are more than relevant on my skin. Despite not my genre the final musky-benzoinic vaguely winey dry down is more restrained and woody on skin and that's the best, more elegant and more refined/balanced part imo.

Gifted from a friend and I am glad I got it.
Plum and woods, the vanilla isn't readily identifiable.
Sexy and a compliment magnet - perfect for those looking for some thing different, now that Malbec is going on 20 years!

Wickedly strong and projecting. Unfortunately over used in the region (Brazil), so I really don't grab it often. Still there's no denying that there's something sexy here and anytime I where it on another continent the insane number of compliments becomes overbearing. Woody and bright with, yes, a bit of grapey-sweetness that thankfully never smells like day-after wine dregs. I disagree with the bad blending comment. In fact, it's well blended - just using some potent synthetics that might be abrasive when over-applied. It is rather linear, but the good for the whole ride.

Vanilla plus cheap wisky, both very agressive to my nose. The smell stays impregnated in the room and thats not good. It´s just one more scent not well blended, like all other from that same producer store.

I really like this scent. It took me 5 years until try it. On paper, feels as if it is harsh. But is not. Good on paper and on skin, but on skin is a little sweet, but always nice. It is very interesting when a few hours late you wash just a little your wrist and get something really nice, I´m not sure if "alcoholic" would describe well the feeling, but I like. And I love the liquid soap with grape seeds that is selling here in Brazil. Nice combination. Unfortunately a bit hit, many many men using it, easly recognized. Still, one of my favourites, can never leave my wardrobe.

Nice work from the best Brazilian perfume house! Think of a subtle, sweet fragrance in the same lines of Acqua di Giò (but more complex, luxurious), add some wood and a glass of wine: then you got malbec!