Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli (Patricia and Axel de Nicolaï) 2018~ New Perfume Review + Capturing the Côte d’Azur Draw

Vintage poster of Jean JULIEN Aix in Provence 1910

Joie de vivre taken captive like the genie in a bottle: unfettered sunlight au bord de la mer. Quintessential European (all puns intended) parfum tonique pour tous…These were my first impressions when the sample flacon arrived upon my doorstep a few days ago from Mme. Patricia de Nicolaï and her son Axel: their latest fragrant release, Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli.

Roxane D'Orleans Juste in José Limón's Dances© for Isadora apped by Michelyn.

Celebrating the cultivation of bigarade is one matter; summoning milieu is a different tale altogether. The de Nicolaïs have succeeded brilliantly at both. Their press release adroitly describes this scent as a ballet; to my nose, it feels a modern one full of energetic movement, athletic with the innate elegance of José Limón’s dance troupe.

Gypsy Festival in Aix-en Provence by Werner Lichtner Aix©

As one who vividly recalls lapping up sun au naturel on the Côte d’Azur many many years ago (my income went a great deal further then!) on the fly, Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli invokes all the elements I remember fondly. Every part of the orange: flesh, flower, branch, leaf. It conjures plein air markets in Nice; the unbridled salinity of Marseille; wild herbs crushed underfoot or between the fingers in Aix-en-Provence with its whirling gypsies in the summer marketplace. Oh, to travel on a shoestring!

Young Woman Picking Oranges by Berthe Morisot

 Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli opens with the pulpy fleshiness of fruit and tangy bittersweetness of bigarade, with its dry undercurrent – liberally garnished with frisky mint and tonic rosemary. It’s hardly surprising that rosemary is so often used in perfumery to evoke the marine (L’Artisan Parfumeur Au Bord de L’Eau, Davidoff Cool Water, Geo.F.Trumper Skye, Chanel Égoiste Platinum, Dior Eau Sauvage – to name but a handful); it adds an astringent and revivifying veracity. There’s a lovely bite to it, then we are showered in a torrent of white and yellow flower petals – jasmine, orange blossom, and buttery ylang ylang. You might assume that the perfume becomes oppressively sweet at this turn, but it never does. Instead, the floral and verdant elements weave in and out continually (and with them a certain woodiness as well), swaying lissomely on a Mediterranean zephyr. At their feet lies mysteriously inky oakmoss (the beloved!), and the merest scintilla of amber and musk.

Henri Matisse Nastoriums With the Dance II (Le Cateau-Cambrésis 1869–1954 Nice)

I love that there is so much movement in Cap Néroli. It is timeless and delightful, and there is nothing staid about it; anyone may enjoy its seasonless charms. My dear husband immediately came into the sunny kitchen where I write and exclaimed: “My word! You smell marvelous!”. I suspect that we’ll both be wearing it this summer, along with all the other grown men in our family. 

L'Anniversaire Marc Chagall 1915

I’m eager for warmer weather; this eau de toilette will bloom upon the skin with upcomingadditional humidity. While some may initially sense a passing similarity to Françoise Caron’s 1979 Eau D’Orange Verte for Hermès, side-by-side scrutiny proves otherwise: the latter has a wealth of patchouli in its base, less oakmoss and is much sweeter, mintier, and fruitier by comparison. Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli will be the one I’ll reach for this unremitting, sweltering Boston summer. 

Notes: Petitgrain bigarade, orange, mandarin, rosemary, mint, neroli, ylang ylang, jasmine absolute, orange flower absolute, eau de Brouts (absolute derived from petitgrain and neroli waters), oakmoss, musk, amber.

Generous sample kindly provided by Damien and perfumers Mme.and Axel de Nicolaï. My nose is my own…

Ida Meister, Senior Editor

~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Photo courtesy of Nicolaï Parfumeur- Createur

Thanks to the largesse of Nicolaï Parfumeur- Createur,we are offering a 30 ml bottle of Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli  to one registered reader in the world. You MUST register or your comment will not qualify. To be eligible, please tell us what appeals to you about Parfums de Nicolaï Cap Néroli based on Ida's review, your favorite Nicolaï Parfumeur- Createur fragrance and where you live. Have you been to the Côte d’Azur or to the Mediterranean?  Draw closes 2/26/2018

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our RSS blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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44 comments

  • Frisky mint and tonic rosemary: rosemary is one of my favorite smells in the world. It sounds so good in this one. Neroli is also a big love. My favorite PdN is Sacrebleu Intense. I am in the US! Thanks for the draw!

  • Before you actually smell it, you never know in advance how a fragrance called “Neroli” is going to be. Is taking the fresher, easier side, or the heavier, indolic one? Not sure, but it looks like “Cap Neroli” is taking the middle road.
    Ida’s specification that this is “not staid” and the occurrence of oakmoss in the picture really got me.
    I don’t have a favourite Nicolaï Parfumeur perfume, but I had in mind for a long time to try “Incense Oud” and “Number One Intense”.
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • Nancy Sternberg Goodman says:

    Ooooh! I adore Neroli fragrances, especially in the New Orleans hot summers. The idea of rosemary and mint cutting into the Neroli in Cap Neroli sounds amazing. And I love PdN perfumes. Thank you for the draw. I have been to Cannes and would love to go back right now! In USA.

  • Everything and anything that reminds me of warm weather and summer is good. I like Patricia de Nicolaï. My favorite is her discontinued Le Temps d’une Fête. I have never lapped “up sun au naturel on the Côte d’Azur” but would love a perfume that conjures up that image. In the USA.

  • I have not had the pleasure of visiting the Mediterranean. I love that Ida shared her Côte d’Azur experience! Sounds like Cap Néroli will be a favorite scent to try during the early days of summer. I’m in the USA, luck to all.

  • Great review Ida,I really enjoy a good citrus fragrance ,neroli and citruses done right are fantastic in summer,this fragrance has a ton of great notes and are just sounds mouth watering .Really want to try this , im always looking for new summer fragrances.

    My favourite Nicolaï Parfumeur perfume is vanilla intense ,second is incense oud.

    Canada here

  • This new Nicolai sounds luscious. I am always looking for a summer fragrance that will live longer on my skin. Enticing review!

    I really enjoy Nicolai Parfums and I appreciate that the house offers different sized bottles. My favorite from the line is Le Temps d’une Fête.

    I am in the U.S.

  • This one must be a fantastic juice for summer. Neroli, mandarine, mint….gorgeous. Thanks for this article and ofcourse this nice draw. I live in the EU.

  • Ida Meisner’s description, “the floral and verdant elements weave in and out continually” makes this fragrance sound delightful. I live in coastal California, which has a Mediterranean climate, but I’ve never been to the Cote d’Azur. I love Le Temps d’une Fête and Sacrebleu.

  • Richard potter says:

    I love Neroli. I still have yet to try the Nicolai line. I’m saving up for Patchouli Sublime. Would love to win this, as I look forward to spring.

  • I am SUCH a fan of Parfums Nicolai! Her scents are so underrated and just all round excellent. It is still summer here in melbourne and I feel it will be hanging around for a while – well into March. It would be fabulous to have something bracing to combat the oppressive humidity.
    Please enter me in the draw! I am in Melbourne, Aus

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    Ida makes this fragrance sound perfect for spring/summer and as a former ballet dancer I love her comparison to dance…it must be such a joyful fragrance that I would love to try……rosemary is such an uplifting note and fragrant essential oil. My favorite of the line is Kiss Me Tender but there are so many others that I enjoy as well. Thank you for this lovely draw. I reside in the United States.

  • I’m a big fan of neroli-based perfumes, and Cap Neroli sounds extremely appealing, especially its mix of bigarade, ylang-ylang and the base notes of oakmoss, amber and musk.
    I admire the work of Patricia de Nicolai, my absolute favourite being New York Intense.
    I’ve never been to the Mediterranean but I’ve learnt French to be ready when the opportunity to go there presents itself 🙂

    Thank you and Nicolai Parfumeur Createur for this fabulous draw. I live in Russia.

  • I’m in for the “unbridled salinity of Marseille” and beloved oakmoss. One of my long time faves from the house is New York. USA

  • Ruth Kaminski says:

    The Morisot painting and the puopy freshness of fruit , made me want it badly….and the fact that B immediately declaring you smelled marvelous, pushed me over the edge. I must at least sample this new one ……here in my winter of ennui. I feel excited about Cap Neroli! (thank you for that.)

  • Sounds like a nice Neroli scent with a little more. I like the way Ida describes the different stages of the perfume. First time hearing of this House. Haven’t been to Cote d’Azur. Like to check this one out
    Thanks. California

  • I love neroli fragrances. It’s so fresh and clean. And it always reminds me of a spa. Mixed with orange blossom is gives a really nice clean soapy feel.
    I’ve been to the Cannes Film Festival – my one and only time to France. I fell in love with the area and hope to vacation there later this year.
    I live in Pennsylvania (USA)

  • I absolutely love neroli in fragrances. Had a few orange plants a while ago and the smell of fresh orange flowers is one of my favorites.
    Ida’s review is full of joy and great memories from the Cote d’azur. Hope to visit that part of the world soon.
    I am a big fan of Parfums Nicolai. My favorite is Patchouli Intense
    Thank you for the review and the draw
    I’m from the EU.

  • Malka Gittel bas Reuven says:

    Neroli is wonderful but I prefer it less sweet. This makes it sound less sweet, but it also captures warmth. I felt warmer just reading the review! Ive never had the opportunity to try Parfums Nicolai. or to visit the Cote d’Azur, though I’d love both. Thank you for the draw!

    I live in Pennsylvania (US)

  • I hadn’t smelled rosemary proper before I was an adult living in the Pacific Northwest, so perfumes like Cap Neroli that play with what Ida calls “atringent” rosemary to more tradition concoctions based on neroli appeal to me. So far my favorite Parfums Nicolai perfume is Kiss Me Tender.

    I’m in the USA, thanks for the generous drawing.

  • Beautiful words and art. I have never been to the Mediterranean but this revue of Cap Neroli is like going. I think it’s amazing her husband loved the fragrance. My favorite Nicolai is Amber Cashmere for winter so this would be lovely for summer. I live in Toronto

  • Loved reading this review. That Ida says it never gets too sweet – the oakmoss, amber, and musk. And her husband thinks she smells good? Yes, I want my husband to tell me that!
    I’m in the US, thanks for this draw. Sounds wonderful!

  • I love the idea of this scent as a ballet. That’s just lovely. I’ve not had the opportunity to try a Nicolaï Parfumeur Createur fragrance but I have been to the Mediterranean and fell in love with that exquisite area. The air there is truly intoxicating. I live in the US – thank you for the great draw!

  • Having been a keen ballet dancer for much of my young life, I love that Ida has made a correlation between Cap Neroli and the fluidity of this genre of dance. Ballet is one of the most expressive forms of performance; it looks so very easy but it is hard to execute correctly. Her description of this scent being both ‘elegant and energetic’, makes me want to sample this fragrance so badly. I also adore the scent of neroli.

    Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure of trying any Parfums de Nicolai as in Australia they are hard to come by. I have heard many wonderful things about this brand.

    I have also never been to the Côte d’Azur or to the Mediterranean, yet many of my friends and family members have, and they have always encouraged me to travel there at least once.

    Many thanks to Ida for this eloquent review and to Cafleurebon and Parfums de Nicolai for this generous draw. Good luck to all.

    I live in Australia.

  • I love the description of this fragrance as incorporating all of the scents of the living tree-maybe because I spend as much time as I can in my beloved Greece, where at different times of the year I may encounter the blossoming trees in the villages, or the weekly street markets in Athens, after which the air is full of the scent of the crushed bitter oranges, leaves, and twigs all over the ground. I live in the US, but my heart belongs to the Mediterranean. I really enjoyed a sample of the Ambre Intense that I tried last year.

  • The dimension and ‘movement’ of Cap Neroli really came through in this review–that’s what most appealed to me!

    I first encountered blooming orange trees a bit under a year ago, right by the Mediterranean. It felt like the scent was dancing on the wind, like it made the breeze dance, sometimes whirling by and then vanishing round a corner, sometimes stamping its presence with such vivid energy that I felt intoxicated.

    Thank you for the review and draw. In all this ‘wintry mix’ that was a memory I needed!

    USA

  • This review gave me a serious case of wanderlust. For so long I have had the Côte d’Azur on my travel wish list. I love fragrances that have rosemary. I agree it provides astringency.
    My favorite fragrance from this house is New York. I feel so sophisticated when I wear it.
    I live in the USA.

  • This review is amazing and full of nice decriptions and honest toughts ( comment of Ida’s husband- it is real good mark, because her husband have heard so many Ida’s perfumes).
    Thank you Ida!!!
    I like P. Nicolai perfumes, especially Eau d’Mixte.
    Armenia

  • Beautiful review. I have never had a chance to try anything from this brand. But I very love orange blossom/neroli perfumes. The base of the review and from the notes, this perfume is sounds fabulously. I would very love to try this. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • There is something in this post that just makes me so happy I want to dance, move freely without thought or reason. I adore the creations of Parfums de Nicolaï. Each one that I own take me on a scented journey that I enjoy each and every time.
    Lovely review Ida, isn’t it fabulous when a beautiful scent can be shared by lovers over and over.

  • This line won me over: “…we are showered in a torrent of white and yellow flower petals – jasmine, orange blossom, and buttery ylang ylang.” Scrumptious! I’ve not yet had the chance to try a Nicolai Parfumeur fragrance, and Cap Neroli sounds like a lovely place to start. Writing to you from Winston-Salem, NC.

  • I love the fact that as Ida mentions in her review Cap Neroli is a perfume full of movement…..with notes that range from sweet yellow florals up to verdant notes with certain woodiness in it makes Cap Neroli as Ida mentions ¨timeless and delightful, and there is nothing staid about it; anyone may enjoy its seasonless charms¨
    I would really love to wear this perfume in the summer time, it must really smell great.
    Thank you for the lovely review and draw, I live in EU.

  • I love when Ida states that “there is so much movement in Cap Néroli. It is timeless and delightful, and there is nothing staid about it.”.
    I enjoy every bit of orange too, peel, flesh, flowers, leaves. It’s so uplifting and refreshing.
    I haven’t had the chance to visit Cote d’Azur or try Parfums de Nicolai, but I’m looking forward to. I’m sure Cap Neroli is wonderful.

    Thank you for the chance.
    I’m from the EU.

  • This has been on my radar ever since I saw it announced. Really intrigued with the oakmoss in the base. I’m from Illinois.

  • I haven’t been to the Côte d’Azur or to the Mediterranean yet, but one can hope and dream, yes? I have had the wonderful experience of helping to harvest then prune an orange tree. My scent memory of the combined flesh, flower, branch, and leaf instantly returned to me as I read Ida’s review of Cap Néroli.

    My favorite scent from Nicolaï Parfumeur- Createur is Cologne Sologne, the name tickles my ear, and the scent of an eau de Cologne is a forever favorite for my nose. I am in the US and sincerely thank you for the review and the generous draw.

  • Perhaps one of my favorites are Neroli fragrances. I’m really intersted since the fragrance has rosemary and how its described with a lovely bite to it, and showered in a torrent of white and yellow flower petals, jasmine, orange blossom. The sound smells great. Thanks for the draw from USA

  • I recently emptied my bottle of Neroli by L’occitane. Of course it is discontinued, but gives me an excuse to find a new neroli to love. I had an orange tree as a child, so all things orange appeal to me! I’ve never been to Nice, but this article makes me want to go!! Timeless and delightful fragrance, what more can someone want? My favorite from this line is “Kiss me Intense” which I think I shall wear tonite. Thanks for the draw. US.

  • This one should be a nice summer scent,but unlike Ida’s husband my gf does not like neroli,so if i win i won’t get “You smell marvelous” type of compliments haha
    My brother in law owns Cuir Cuba-i do like it a lot,but never smelled the other frags from the brand.
    Virginia USA

  • love neroli, orange, and the sud de france, so this all sounds nice…studied in Avignon for a semester, and got sunburned at the beach once….don’t have a favorite from the line, but this sounds like a winner….in the US – thank you for the draw!!

  • The herbal aspects cutting the floralness of the composition is an element I always find appealling, especially in Neroli fragrances. My favorite Nicolai creation so far is Cuir Cuba Intense but can’t say I’ve sampled the whole line.

    EU reader here

  • I love the idea that it would be something that you would reach for in the summer months. This sounds fabulous for living in a very hot and humid climate, which I do.
    Great review. Loved the vividness of language. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • I love scents that transport you to another time and place, and I fondly remember my brief time on the Cote D’Zur ten years ago. Cap Neroli sounds like a wonderful way to relive that experience!
    My favorite Nicolai creation is New York. I live in the US. Thanks for the very generous draw!