When Nicolas Chabert was casting for a name for his new perfume line, he chose 06130 Parfums, which is the postal code for Grasse, the centre of the fragrance universe. The focus of the fragrances in the line is on quality ingredients and good taste as opposed to trends or creating groundbreaking scents. And Cdre is right in line with this philosophy.

So, what does 06130 Cdre smell like?

It opens with a note of sweet, powdery violet alongside a trio of citrus fruits: fresh, bright bergamot, bitter, fragrant grapefruit, which also adds its dirty nuance to the top, and sweet juicy, mandarin orange. The chemistry between the floral violet and the citrus fruits makes the opening discreetly seductive. As it settles, I smell the camphorous odour of cedarwood. Its cool woodiness is warmed by spicy nutmeg and gently sweetened by cardamom, giving it an alluring beauty. The cedarwood links to the base through a note of creamy, rich sandalwood. Musk reads as warm skin on me, and it warms the woods, just as a note of vetiver earthy and woody joins the cedarwood and sandalwood. Amber adds a kiss of sweetness to the mix.

The drydown is spicy, woody and refined. 06130 Cdre is a subtly woody fragrance with just a lick of spices and delicate sweetness. Its not complex or big. This is a light, simple scent that stays close to the skin. But thats where its beauty lies. The way the notes are perfectly blended and balanced and complement each other so well makes it a pleasure to wear. I appreciate the skill it takes to take a fragrance just to that point and leave it there.

I'm glad he did.

Notes: violet, bergamot, grapefruit, Mandarin orange, cedarwood, nutmeg, cardamom, sandalwood, musk, vetiver and amber.