Jacques Fath Essentials Rosso Epicureo Review (Luca Maffei) + You Go To My Head Draw

Portrait of Marlene Dietrich (Photograph by Cecil Beaton) apped by Michelyn

As a schoolgirl I loved singing old jazz standards, accompanying myself on the piano. My little green budgie would perch on the music stand, earnestly chirping as I crooned melodies in my young, childish voice, trying so hard (and of course failing) to sound like Billie Holiday. One of my favorite tunes was "You Go to My Head", the 1938 hit by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie.  At my young age I had no notion of double entendre and no idea of what most of the words referred to, but I knew that champagne was bubbly and the song was dark and romantic. Even though "You Go to My Head" has been recorded countless times over many years by the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra (even Bob Dylan had a crack at it!)

"You go to my head and you linger like a haunting refrain, and I find you spinning 'round in my brain

Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne. You go to my head like a sip of sparkling Burgundy brew…"

Creative Director Raina Naim of Jacques Fath Essentials and Luca Maffei of Atelier Fragranze Milano

I had forgotten about the song until my  memories were jogged by the 2017 fragrance, Jacques Fath’s Essentials Rosso Epicureo, created by 2x Art and Olfaction award winning perfumer Luca Maffei. In 2016, Creative Director Raina Naim introduced the Jacques Fath Essentials Collection inspired by the legendary designer Jacques Fath and the creative aesthetic, "La Joie de Vivre", the cheerful, exuberant enjoyment of life and everything beautiful that life has to offer.

Cécile Zarokian created the first four Jacques Fath Essentials including the marvelous reconstruction of the iconic Green Water

The first four fragrances, introduced in 2016, were created in collaboration with perfumer Cécile Zarokian. Mme. Zarokian composed a much-lauded rendition of the mythical Green Water and three other beautifully crafted fragrances

 Jacques Fath Essentials Rosso Epicureo, L'Oree du Bois, Les Frivolités and Lilas Exquis (Photo courtesy of Brandusa Paulesco of Atelier Fragranze Milano)

For the second part of the collection, perfumer Luca Maffei followed a more feminine line, conveying femininity via innovative raw materials and noble ingredients that matched the violet, pink, red and gold colors chosen by Rania Naim. The new fragrances, Jacques Fath’s Essentials Rosso Epicureo, L'Oree du Bois, Les Frivolités and Lilas Exquis were previewed during Esxence in Milan in 2017.

Kir Royale Illustration by Ohn Mar Win©

"Pleasure is our first and kindred good.  It is the starting point for every choice…" – Epicurus

 Jacques Fath Essentials Rosso Epicureo opens with a budding, fresh, buttery tuberose. But before I have a chance to get my nose completely around the flower, Rosso Epicureo adds a whiff of that  "sparkling Burgundy brew". The fragrance tingles my senses with the taste and smell of Kir Royale, the blushing, effervescent pre-dinner aperitif, made popular in France in the late 1940s. Kir Royale is concocted by pouring approximately ½ oz of Crème de Cassis into a champagne flute and then topping the glass with bubbly. For Rosso Epicureo Luca Maffei created a Kir Royal accord, using blackcurrant (cassis) for the Crème de Cassis, Davana for a boozy effect and Sichuan pepper for the sparkle of champagne. The jus itself is the color of the cocktail.  Ripe plum adds even more depth and fruity facets to the fragrance while bitter orange and bergamot maintain a dry edge of brut champagne.

Bettina in Jacques Fath, photo by Norman Parkinson, circa 1950

After a sip of aperitif, the heart of Rosso Epicureo is revealed as an ultra feminine bouquet of lush, carnal flowers, a reprise of the aforementioned tuberose, colored with shades of Damask rose and fleshed out with honeyed orange blossom, jasmine and ylang ylang. Rosso Epicureo is everything a big white flower should be, yet never blowsy or overblown.

Jacques Fath  rose-pink silk evening dress with corset bodice and draped neckline 1947

As time goes by, the top and heart notes of Jacques Fath Essentials Rosso Epicureo do not disappear, but instead continue through the life of the fragrance, amplified as each new facet of the perfume is revealed. Over a period of 8 hours and more both the fizzy, fruity Kir Royal and the sumptuous white flower bouquet become more complex and rich as elements of patchouli, amber and vanilla bloom into the mix. Twelve hours after application on skin (and twenty four hours plus on clothing), Jacques Fath Essentials Rosso Epicureo remains an ever-fresh tuberose, laced with magical cassis and the erotic and powdery luxury of Muscone Laevo.This perfume exemplifies Jacques Faith's ideal joyful life, remaining delightfully fresh and slightly edgy while at once celebrating the epicurean philosophy of tranquility and pleasure.

Notes: Kir Royale Accord, bitter orange, bergamot, plum, tuberose sbsolut, Rosa damascena, orange blossom, jasmin, ylang ylang patchouli, amber, vanilla, Muscone Laevo.

Disclaimer:  I would like to thank Jacques Fath Essentials for the beautiful set of samples representing the entire Essentials Collection.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief and Art Director

Thanks to the generosity of Jacques Fath Essentials we have one 50 ml bottle of Jacques Fath Essentials Rosso Epicureo available to one registered reader worldwide.  Be sure to register or your comment will not count. To be eligible for the draw, please tell us what appeals to you about Gail's review of Rosso Epicureo, if you have tried any of the Jacques Fath Essentials Collection or if you have an old tune that you just can't get out of your head. Draw closes 2/16/2018

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

 

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29 comments

  • The color does justice to the perfume. I would not have expected something else to be the major player besides rose given the name Rosso Epicureo so it is a surprise tuberose is a major player. It kind of reminds me of Poison where tuberose is major player, too though the color purple would make you think plum is a bigger player (poison does have plumy aspects). One song I cannot get out of my mind is Sid Nancy’s My Way. Thanks for the draw. I am in US.

  • Thanks for the generous giveaway Jacques Fath Essentials and cafleurebon for bringing it to us 🙂

    So what appealed to me right away were the notes I love with white flowers jasmin and orange blossom,and my two big favs amber and vanilla oooh plum too,recently bought plum japonais its one of my favourite fragrances so looking forward to see how that fits in.And this one sounds like it lasts and has great longevity “Twelve hours after application on skin (and twenty four hours plus on clothing)” BEAST MODE ! .

    And I have tried Jacques Faths Green Water the new version its a great clean fragrance especially for spring/summer,my dad seen my bottle and said he rocked the og vintage version way back.

    And one song i cant get outta my head is barbie by aqua i think,daughter had it playing and its been etched into my brain now haunting me,its a horrible song lol.

    Im in canada. Again thnx for awesome giveaway !

  • I’m a visual person…..so…..I liked the pics. I haven’t tried any fragrances as of yet, but would love to try Rosso Epicuero. I’m in the USA, and mostly feel tribal beats going thru my head when I “think” music. Good luck to all.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Just wow. Everything about this says it’s going straight to the top of my try-list. Even the marketing ad, where I’m usually hard to impress, is perfect. What a perfect introduction to this perfume, too – the musical introduction really sets the stage for this. Thank you for introducing me to another beauty! And thank you for the generous draw!

  • Great and vivid descriptions as always! What appeals to me most about Gail’s review of Rosso Epicureo is the way she described this romantic scent. I can see myself putting this luscious fragrance on, stepping out of my house, and french kissing life! The process of making Kir Royale sounds like something I wouldn’t mind doing myself for fun. What a fun use of Champagne! I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of the Jacques Fath Essentials Collection, but I would love to! I’m sure they are fabulous! I’m a bit of a musical nerd and one old tune that I’m always humming and I just can’t get out of my head is “Seasons of Love” from Rent! It’s just one of those songs! xx

  • I have bever tried any Jacques Fath but this one sounds good. If there is some plum in it then is a winner 🙂 One song that i love and it’s on repeat in my head, is “my girl” from temptations. Thanks for this beautiful draw, i live in the EU.

  • This perfume seems complex and long lasting, love to win this. The song I can’t get out of my head is whatever is the last song I heard. Haven’t tried any from this line. US

  • I have only tried some of the modern releases like Pour Homme and Green Water, but I know that this house has some jewels among the older releases. I would love to test Rosso Epicureo because of the Kir Royal accord. That is something new to me.

    I am from EU. Thanks!

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    Love the way the notes are described, especially the Kir Royal accord. I have never had the chance to try any of the Jacques Fath Essential Collection but would love to. I reside in the United States.

  • I am happy that the tuberose is there to stay and that it’s combined with blackcurrant and rose. These are some of my wife’s favorite notes and I am sure it will be divine on her. We haven’t tried any from the Essentials line. Thanks for the draw! (Europe)

  • The new Green Water is really a masterpiece!
    And…having a lot of admiration for Luca Maffei, I cannot but have great expectancies for Rosso Epicureo (mmmmhhhh the kyr accord!)

    Many “old” tunes singing by themselves into my mind. Right now, Breathe by Pink Floyd (old enough? 🙂 )
    I live in Italy. Thanks for the draw!

  • What I found very appealing in Gail’s review about Rosso Epicureo is the part where it mentions:
    ¨After a sip of aperitif, the heart of Rosso Epicureo is revealed as an ultra feminine bouquet of lush, carnal flowers, a reprise of the aforementioned tuberose, colored with shades of Damask rose and fleshed out with honeyed orange blossom, jasmine and ylang ylang. Rosso Epicureo is everything a big white flower should be, yet never blowsy or overblown…..¨
    I love Damask rose and the mixing with orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine and ylang ylang my kind of smell.
    I have an old tune that comes and goes is my mind from time to time and is the song ¨I found a million dollar baby¨.
    I am in EU. Thank you for the lovely draw, review and artistic photos as well.

  • Ohh, so beatiful description…ultra feminnine gragrance: “conveying femininity via innovative raw materials and noble ingredients that matched the violet, pink, red and gold colors chosen…”
    Haven’t tried any from this line.
    Armenia

  • The review is wonderful, as always. This fragrance sounds very lovely. I had never had a chance to try anything from Jacques Fath Essentials Collection, but I hope that I will be lucky enough to win. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    I love this song, especially the version of Marlene Dientrich, this review sounds wonderful and th perfume sounds so delicate and lovely. I live in the EU, thanks for the draw!

  • Such a great review I would love this rosso epicuro for my wife. I own the new green water which is excellent. I live in the EU

  • Ive been eyeing this line for quite a while now. Effervescent and PINK this frag looks and sounds and probably smells MAGICAL.

    Please enter me in the draw, I am in Melbourne Australia

  • I’m loving the refined gourmands we’ve been seeing lately! The cassis and bubbly combination in this one sounds interesting – especially with a pepper note used to give bubbliness.

    As far as songs – I love Billie Holiday as well, and I have a deeper voice for a woman that works well with jazz vocals. The song I often sing is Gloomy Sunday, though I can’t sing it as well as Billie.

    I’m in the US. Please enter me

  • I like Luca Maffei creation!!! And this perfume sounds very beatiful, feminine!
    I like cognac, rom and champagne notes in perfumey..and gess it will be great with blackcurrant !
    Unfortunattly I have never test Fath perfumes..I respect Zarokian as perfumer and wish to test her works for Fath.
    from Armenia

  • A great review. Very curious to see how the Kir Royal accord develops. My girlfriend would love Rosso Epicureo. Have only tried Green Water from the Jacques Fath Essentials Collection. It’s excellent.
    An older tune I can’t get out of my head is Blue Tears – All the way home.
    Thank you for the draw.
    I’m from EU.

  • I love to drink Kir, haven’t had one in ages though. I love the wine/Eiffel tower picture. I like the fact that the fragrance lasts such a long time. The colors of the fragrances in this line are beautiful. The song that gets stuck in my head from time to time is “Ring of Fire”. Thanks for the draw! US.

  • What a juicy review! So interesting to sniff Kir Royal accord. I haven’t tried any of the Jacques Fath Essentials collection.
    Thank you for the chance! I live in the EU

  • Rosso Epicureo sounds decadent. I’m really intrigued by the Kir Royal accord, because I haven’t tried it.
    Love the fact that the perfume is long lasting and it develops into a more complex and rich combination of notes. The fact that it exemplifies the idea of a joyful life is appealing to me.
    I haven’t tried any Jacques Fath fragrances yet, but I’ll make sure to.
    A song stuck in my head is “Dance Me to the End of Love” by Leonard Cohen.
    Thank you for the opportunity.
    I live in the EU.

  • A song that I can’t get out of my head is Personal Jesus from Depeche Mode, an old favorite of mine. This new creation by Luca sounds nice and curious on the cassis touch. I live in the EU.

  • I liked the review. I now have a bigger picture of “Rosso Epicureo” illustrated in my mind. It looks like the scent is very feminine and I hope to feel its French quality.
    I have yet to try the Jacques Fath Essentials Collection.
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • Cassis ,plum and rose-3 of my top 5 favote notes + boozy effect … count me in.
    I do own 2 Jacques Fath fragrances – 50ml of Curacao Bay and Fath Pour L`Homme 4.2 OZ / 125 ML.
    Virginia USA

  • I’ve never smelled anything from the Jacques Fath Essentials Collection , but my husband owns Pour Homme-yellow juice and i really like it.
    I am tuberose lover,plum lover and blackcurrant lover , and i do like patchouli, amber and vanilla .Also love boozy fragrances,so this one should be right up my alley .
    Winston VA

  • Thank you everone for commenting and entering the draw. What a great collection of tunes too! Rosso Epicureo is truly an elegant and original take on tuberose.