New Perfume Review: Rubini Profumi Fundamental + Interstellar Draw

rubini profumi

Photo:Rubini

If thousands of songs can be created by using just seven notes, try to imagine how many different perfumes can be created by using hundreds of notes! Even though some of them smell nearly identical because of stereotype trends; there are still endless possibilities to discover a marvelous one. Unfortunately these things do not happen often.  Appearing for the first time in Esxence 2015, Rubini – Fundamental falls directly into the “marvelous” category.

Andrea Bissoli Rubini

Andrea Bissoli Rubini Of Rubini Profumi

My encounter with Andrea Bissoli Rubini is a total coincidence. My dear friend Antonio Gardoni of Bogue Profumo introduced me to Signore Rubini at Esxence. His aim is to embody the best of what modern perfumery has to offer. In contrast to the latest players in the battlefield, he chose to enter the market with only one fragrance. So he takes the risk of “hit or miss”.

ermano picco and christian canali of IFF Rubini

Ermano Picco and Christiano Canali trainee at IFF

Since perfumery is a family tradition of Signore Andrea Rubini, he intended to fully express fundamental values. He wanted to work with an exclusively Italian team in order to regenerate his heritage. Besides Signore Rubini himself, the fragrance expert Ermano Picco and perfumer Cristiano Canali a perfume trainee from IFF, who won the Critics Award for the contest "The Scent of Esxence – 5 Years of Excellence", are the creators of Rubini’s first offering.

rubini fundemental perfume packaging

Glebanite

Also Francesca Gotti did a terrific job on the packaging, using a material called glebanite which is obtained by recycling fiberglass used in old buildings and more recently in sailing boats.  It totally expresses the multilayered yet simple texture of the fragrance.

moby grape album cover art

Moby GrapeAlbum Cover

Fundamental begins with citrusy and flowery notes in a deep base. From the beginning it is evident that it’s not a typical crowd pleaser. And trying to dissect Fundamental into notes is not doing it justice. All I can say is that grape dominates the blend in a few minutes and remains the main player from the beginning to the end.

interstellar_library movie scene

Interstellar Library Scene 2014 (Christopher Nolan)

Forget about trendy gourmands, forget about generic floral fruity fragrances and forget about woody based leather smellalikes. Fundamental is a different beast. It’s as multidimensional as a piece of contemporary architecture. It distinguishes from other multidimensional fragrances in an evasive way. Don’t even think about top notes, heart notes and base notes… Fundamental has a multilayered blend that is felt in every stage. Wearing this scent Is like living in more than one reality… Rubini’s Fundamental is the “Interstellar” of modern perfumery!

interstellar-warpscene

Interstellar Warp Scene, 2014 starring Matthew McConaughey

The longer I have Fundamental on my skin the better it becomes. Sometimes beeswax boosts grapes, sometimes cedar and sandalwood do the same job. If I have to categorize, Fundamental is a very innovative take on the fruity-woody theme. Fundamental has big sillage and lasts all day. With its dense feeling and complex richness, there’s nothing in the market that I can compare it with… Since I don’t have a reference point, I can say with confidence that Signore Rubini’s work is unique.

rubini perfume

If I had to choose a favourite from Esxence 2015 launches, Fundamental is the clear winner by a mile. A solid concept, smart packaging and a contemporary fragrance… I'm glad to welcome Rubini to the world of endless possibilities!

–Guest contributor Berkan Basoglu, author of gurmekokular.com You can follow Berkan on instagram here

Editor’s Note: If you read my Esxence 2015 report, Fundamental was that oh so elusive fragrance I was unable to sample fully. I was sniffing the mouilette during my flight back to NYC with that amazing sandalwood drydown that  I could still smell as I entered customs at JFK.

fundamental perfume

Thanks to Rubin Profumi we have three sample for three readers anywhere in the world. To be eligible you must be a  registered  CaFleureBon reader. Please leave a comment  with what appeals to you about Fundamental,  Berkan's review and where you live. Draw closes 5/7/2015

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

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30 comments

  • Tami H. says:

    The grape note sounds divine, actually all of it sounds totally amazing!
    I live in the U.S. Thanks for the draw!!

  • Steve A says:

    I’m into the “big silage” and “lasts all day”. Sounds unique with grape being a main player. USA

  • bab says:

    Different, modern, grape? this is something I need to try, as does my daughter who is in love with grape but cannot find a good one.
    The grape is definitely the appeal, as is the recycled packaging.
    I’m in the USA.
    Thank you for writing about this new perfume!

  • Carol W says:

    Grape? Really? I can’t say that I’ve ever smelled anything with a grape note. I would LOVE to try that! Also the fact that it stays all day? Count me in.
    I”m in the US, thanks for the draw!

  • Greennote says:

    You had me at ‘not a typical crowdpleaser’. Then you added ‘It’s as multidimensional as a piece of contemporary architecture’ and the deal was sealed. This sounds amazing. I’m in Australia.

  • mihaela says:

    Really curious about the grape note. I’m in the UK, thank you for the draw.

  • Nemo says:

    My interest is piqued by the grape note in combination with the beeswax, I can’t even imagine how it might smell! I am in the US, thank you.

  • Lindaloo says:

    What appeals to me most is that Rubini entered the market with only ONE fragrance. It speaks of serious belief in his vision, rather than creating a “niche line”. Also interesting to learn about the packaging material.
    In Canada, and thanks for the draw opportunity.

  • Robert H. says:

    This wonderful review truly captures the excitement of discovering something new and wonderful, and since I have never come across a grape perfume, I am intrigued as hell! I live in the USA.

  • Lisac says:

    Courage, confidence, subtlety, innovation – what a delightfully designed palette. Itching for a sniff.

  • Systeme D says:

    I’m quite interested in Fundamental because of this enthusiastic review! I’ve tried the fruit/wood fragrances that have been all the rage lately, but this sounds like something altogether different.

    Cedar and sandalwood are two of my favorite notes, and I am quite curious about how grape might be rendered here as well.

    And my sincere thanks to Rubini for using eco-conscious packaging. Recycled fiberglass? Who knew?

  • fazalcheema says:

    i like the comparison with interstellar movie as Fundamental doesn’t clearly fall into one category but several categories at once including floral, fruity, and gourmand. i remember seeing the bottle on FB and it reminded me of the original Paco Rabanna Pour Homme….thanks so much for the draw and best of luck to Rubini on his perfumery journey. i am in the US

  • Iphigenia says:

    I loved Berkan’s review about Fundamental and the way he describes it make me want to wear and experience more and more, in particular the part of his review “Fundamental is a different beast. It’s as multidimensional as a piece of contemporary architecture. It distinguishes from other multidimensional fragrances in an evasive way. Don’t even think about top notes, heart notes and base notes… Fundamental has a multilayered blend that is felt in every stage. Wearing this scent Is like living in more than one reality… Rubini’s Fundamental is the “Interstellar” of modern perfumery” is the reason I want to try it.
    I live in EU and I thank you for this lovely review and draw 🙂

  • Jackie b says:

    I cannot imagine what Fundamental will smell like, it is always intriguing to me when I can’t categorise a scent. It makes them so much more complex somehow.
    And when you don’t get the predictable top, middle and bottom notes.
    Thanks for the review and draw, I am in Australia

  • Connie says:

    Sounds like this is one you have to try yourself to get an idea for- I certainly can’t imagine. It looks interesting and I would love the opportunity! I’m in the US.

  • Patty P. says:

    I’m curious to try this as it’s described as not a typical crowd pleaser. And we are told not even to think about notes. 🙂 U.S.

  • david ecker says:

    I am fundamentally interested in experiencing this. I live in the US.

  • Veronica says:

    Wow! Grape? I am so intrigued! Berkan’s review pulled me in when I saw “not a typical crowd pleaser” as I adore fragrances that are unusual and not typical! Fundamental sounds complex yet simple at the same time and I would love a sample. I live in the U.S.’

  • Greg Sh says:

    I love how different Fundamental is! I don’t think I’ve smelled a grape fragrance before, but it sounds delightful! This is definitely something I might buy in the future.

    Thanks for the draw and I live in Canada.

  • Natalie says:

    In the review, I liked that Berkan pointed out that this was a perfumer’s launch of one perfume only. It strengthened the idea that this was a statement scent, something one of a kind.

    The grape keynote appeals to me.

    I’m in Canada.

  • Farbod says:

    Marvelous? Sounds great. I’d love to try something contemporary and unique like this one. Made me enthusiastic! I live in Iran.

  • jiminy says:

    This sounds like nothing I have experienced before. I am extremely curious about the grape and how it interacts with the mentioned several layers and facets of the composition.

    Thanks for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    The uniqueness of Fundamental appeals to me. I enjoyed Berkan’s review and his presentation of this hard-to-describe fragrance. I live in the US.

  • merlina says:

    This review makes me feel like testing this fragance ASAP.. ” It’s as multidimensional as a piece of contemporary architecture” , a beast, the linger the better it becomes and all this sandalwood and grape and cedar….If there’s nothing similar in the market I would be happy to test this one!!
    I,m in EU (Spain)

  • Vick G says:

    I need this fragrance right now! I haven’t been this excited about a scent in a long long time. Its so unique and I can only imagine how wonderful the grape note will smell. I’m in Canada

  • Holly F. says:

    Fundamental, and Berkan’s review of it, appeals to me because it sounds so unlike anything else currently out there. Grape? Sure, why not. I’d love to try it. I’m in the US.

  • Greg Mayne says:

    The smell of grapes have always been incredible to me. I really like that this scent is unique. It sounds fabulous and I’ll most likely buy a bottle in the future

    Canada

  • Dubaiscents says:

    I am impressed by the fact that this is the single scent in the line. I wish more brands would follow suit. If you think this was one of the best at the show I definitely want to try. I live in the UAE.

  • Nancysg says:

    Contemporary architecture and space libraries tweak my interest. Plus the packaging is a new bold look.