D: SOL TERRAM Review (Marie Urban Le Febvre) + The Setting Sun Draw

D:Sol Terram

Cristian with D:SOL TERRAM

 D:SOL MMXVI describe their three fragrances as possessing “a sunshine state of mind”. Their creative philosophy could be described as heliocentric and one that is meant to build an imaginary bridge between Berlin (where the brand founder Dennis K. Werner is based) and Majorca – two meaningful destinations and sources of inspiration for Dennis. The current collection, composed by Marie Urban Le Febvre is an ardent tribute to the sun in all its majesty. Each fragrance seems to celebrate and to coincide with a portion of the sundial.  D:SOL HERBES is the “matinal”: a botanical composition inspired by an 18th century Majorcan liqueur recipe (because happy hour starts at sunrise!), followed by   D:SOL TESORO – the “canicular”, an exuberant trove of precious citrus delicately balanced by an aromatic leather note that magnifies sun-kissed skin and the incandescence of the midday sun. D:SOL TERRAM is the crepuscular, or as Dennis so aptly describes it, “the silent path”. It is the fragrant welcoming of a dual sunset: the one at the end of the day, and the “sunset” that heralds the end of summer. It is the most melancholic of the three, and I find it to also be the most evocative. Resoundingly cinematic and nostalgic in a mythological way.

D:Sol TERRAM review

D:SOL TERRAM Magnolia by Cristian

D:SOL TERRAM yearns for the departing sun, reaching up like a mortal cursed by the gods for having had the audacity to fall in love with “one of them”. Cursed to long for the skies while deeply rooted in the dry soil. TERRAM opens with evanescent sweet and aromatic notes of galbanum, pink pepper and coriander. Despite their fleeting nature, they leave a memorable first impression. The weight of the floral characteristics lies on the shoulders of a magnificent magnolia. It contributes with harmonizing floral, waxy and citrusy notes and it leads the way into a less luminescent but still profound olfactory territory marked by the resinous touches of cistus, fir balsam and benzoin. The top notes seep seamlessly into the heart notes, like an obscure, sepia-tone light. I would like to also mention that the coloured glass bottle is a very thoughtful and complementary choice, almost akin to a visual amuse-bouche.

TERRAM by D: SOL

TERRAM triptych by Cristian

 When I visualize this fragrance, I see it as vertical: an invisible thread passing though soil, sea and setting sun. A heliophilic totem, a triptych within a triptych. The base notes of D:SOL TERRAM are a dark epilogue: patchouli, vetiver, musk, and cedar come together to reveal an empty, pristine beach neighboring a coniferous forest. The breeze whispers its last warm breath as it carries the scent of decomposing pine logs imbued with sea water. This breath is earthy, primal, humid!

Icarus in Midair D: Sol Terram

Olfactory Peregrination of Terram by Cristian created for this review

A tenebrous sweetness marks the drydown, but surprising notes of dark chocolate with sea salt and a calculated dose of something that tiptoes on the edge of profanity, ureic-adjacent, enticing and appeals to the most animalic of urges. All blended in such a way that it forces you to sink your nostrils into your perfumed wrists so deeply that it feels they breach through skin.

If D:SOL was an epic solar epistolary love story, TERRAM would be the concluding letter. The heavy, velvet curtain pulled, like dark copper clouds, over the last flickering sunray on the horizon.

D:SOL TERRAM was awarded a “CaFleureBon Top ten perfumes of 2020”  by Çafleurebon Editor Dana Sandu.

Notes: Galbanum, Pink Pepper, coriander, magnolia, cistus, fir balsam, benzoin, Patchouli, Vetiver, Musk, Cedar

Cristian Marianciuc, Contributor

Disclosure: D:SOL very generously gifted me a bottle of D:SOL TERRAM for my personal enjoyment. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks to the generosity of D:SOL MMXVI, we have a bottle of D:SOL TERRAM for one registered reader in the EU, UK or USA. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Cristian’s review of TERRAM and where you live. Draw closes 5/6/21

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60 comments

  • KMBfragrance says:

    Gorgeous review! If the scent is half as inspiring, it must be a triumph. I love the art inspiration as well. An ode to a melancholic sunset. I live in Missouri USA.

  • mleenstra says:

    Cristian’s review is very evocative and his review almost gives me the feeling I can smell Terram and see the landscape be paints.
    I love the idea of the perfume as a thread through soil, land and sea and the sun. The perceived notes of dark chocolate and sea salt intrigue me. I’m not familiar D:SOL MMVXI perfumes yet, but this really peaks my interest. Marit UK

  • ANDREEA ELENA TIMOFTE says:

    “The sun in all its majesty.”….AMAZING!!!
    “The heavy, velvet curtain pulled, like dark copper clouds, over the last flickering sunray on the horizon.”
    I think, from Cristian’s review, that Terram is like the end of summer….
    I live in London, UK.

  • Lolis says:

    Olfactory peregrination is an inovative art concept,also D:Sol Terram as a ‘sunshine state of mind’speaking about sun departure and it’s dusky notes made me wonder how this translation is depicted .Love this beautiful cranes! From Romania with love

  • Josephine says:

    Floral, wax, citrus with primal humid decomposing pine logs and sea water in that gorgeous smokey bottle. What an image this conjures. I want to travel through fragrance while staying close to home for now. I live in Virginia, USA

  • FC says:

    I don’t remember smelling a fragrance with magnolia note. The bottle design is good, kinda reminding me of apothecary bottles. USA.

  • mdellaroc says:

    I’m intrigued by the fact that this perfume won an award here! And the notes do sound interesting. Plus I can no longer drink so letting it be based off a liquor recipe sounds great. In the USA.

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    D: SOL was a solar epic epistolary love story, surprising notes of dark chocolate with sea salt and magnolia. Interesting!
    I am from Eu Bucharest Romania Europe

  • drjedi says:

    Loved this review of D:SOL Terram by Christian. As in other parts, I am always impressed by the creative ways in which perfumers grow their olfactory art. The trilogy of the perfumes listed is a great example of this creativity. I believe I will love all three, but especially Terram. Beautiful picture of Olfactory Peregrination of Terram by Christian. As magnolias bloom around us in spring, I can imagine their perfume mixed with other top notes, smoothly blending into the heart and later base of Terram. The whole review is lovely, but the concluding description of the base was very telling of the sun-setting, impending darkness in the perfume, both visually and olfactorilly (is that a word?). I can see how Terram would be eventually a melancholy perfume, but as the bright summer days come, once in a while, a Zen reminder of how everything changes and will change and the sun will set and dark winter will come is not a bad idea, and it will keep one grounded and rooted, while loving Sun, “one of them”. I could go on and on, but will stop now. Lovely review, much food for olfactory thought. Thanks for the draw. Writing from the USA.

  • Roseylips69 says:

    It reminds me of being at the ocean, the end of summer, standing under the trees. Love Woody notes in perfume. Missouri, USA

  • Bubeto_GG says:

    It feels like TERRAM D:SOL MMXVI is coming straight from a fairy tale story. Woody , piny , with dark chocolate kind of patchouli. I like how different the scent is , and Cristian crane origami. Cheers
    Back and forth between USA and Scotland, two weeks in US -> two weeks in Scotland and so on. Basically both USA and Scotland at the same time

  • AleksCipri says:

    OMG this is well written review. Cristian takes you on a journey in this text. I love the description of D:SOL TERRAM with its solar but earthy and heave notes. Very interesting and unusual combination of notes listed and perceived. Dark chocolate and sea salt…I have to try this. But I must admit the entire line sounds so cool based on the introductory paragraph. I will be checking these out! I’m from Illinois, US.

  • Julesinrose says:

    What draws me in is that this is “on the edge of profanity. . . And appeals tot he most animatic of urges!” The note list is filled many enticing notes so I’m most curious!! In Maine, USA

  • DuftHochZwei says:

    This sounds like a special feel good scent in the best way. Various flora and sort of also fauna, like the butterfly or even phoenix reminiscent thing in that Olfactory Peregrination. Lovely, seducing. I would love to win this to Germany, thanks for the draw!

  • michelehk says:

    Such an evocative review! Love the imagery, especially the “heliophilic totem”. Thanks from Tel Aviv.

  • Tveta says:

    I like the concept of this house, and that every fragrance of their trio represents a portion of the sundial, with TERRAM being the crepuscular side.
    Thanks! Europe

  • Laurentiu says:

    I really like the notes this one has. It gives me the feeling that together they have the power to create a fragrance worthy of the signature fragrance status.Thanks for the review and also for the draw!
    I am in Romania, Europe.

  • Amaziz89 says:

    Notes of Galbanum, Pink Pepper, coriander, magnolia, cistus, fir balsam, benzoin, Patchouli, Vetiver, Musk, Cedar. I am intrigued by the notes especially Coriander, Patchouli, Cistus and pink pepper. A house that I am not familiar with but I am intrigued by nonetheless a beautiful piece by Christian. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Perl says:

    This sounds interesting enough: A tenebrous sweetness marks the drydown, but surprising notes of dark chocolate with sea salt and a calculated dose of something that tiptoes on the edge of profanity, ureic-adjacent, enticing and appeals to the most animalic of urges. All blended in such a way that it forces you to sink your nostrils into your perfumed wrists so deeply that it feels they breach through skin
    Best regards from the EU.

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    base notes of D:SOL TERRAM are a dark epilogue: patchouli, vetiver, musk, and cedar come together to reveal an empty, pristine beach neighboring a coniferous forest. The breeze whispers its last warm breath as it carries the scent of decomposing pine logs imbued with sea water. This breath is earthy, primal, humid! I am intrigued by the notes especially Patchouli, Vetiver, cedarwood and musk sounds like a magical concoction. A beautiful description by Christian a house that I have got no experience with. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Valentina says:

    Whenever I see Cristian’s art, I get very curious. Because let me tell you, if this perfume inspired him to create such intricate art, it must be something out of the ordinary. Perfume, love, art. Man, I really need a sniff (at least) of this stuff! I live in Romania, EU.

  • Paeonnia says:

    I love the concept of the perfume house: the sun is great in bringing out the smells of different materials in diverse ways. I think Christian did justice to the scent and it’s beautiful bottle with his photos and installations.
    I’m in EU

  • Sonbahia says:

    I liked very much this review of D:SOL Terram by Cristian Marianciuc. He takes you in a journey through the sundial. As he says a “tribute to the sun in all its majesty”. So interesting how perfumers develop their olfactory art, in this case he builds a bridge between Berlin and Mallorca : herbes, canicula and terram. The scents shows us a dual crepuscular tones: the end of a summer day and the end of summer… Is there anything more melancholic than the end of summer? There are an interesting and not so usual combination of notes to show us the last sunray… I live in Spain, EU

  • Jos says:

    An award winning perfume based on precious citrus, aromatic leather and the sun. What a treat, I really loved this article by Cristian Marianciuc! This sounds like a fragrance anybody can use to lighten up the day! Welcome the sun in our lives! Living in the EU

  • DaleX says:

    This is the first time I hear about this house, but I must say that they have some solid offerings, especially Terram. Looks like a masculine, vintage perfume from the notes listed. Like an 80s powerhouse. Please count me in for this one because it sounds really exciting!
    Europe

  • INYA says:

    Evening is my favorite time of the day. Terram sounds like the perfect fragrance to experience as the sun sets and dusk begins. Thanks for introducing D:SOL to me and the opportunity to try. Mich USA

  • xoe says:

    Dusk and dawn are my favorite parts of the day. I even describe myself as a crepuscular woman. This scent sounds like something I need! I am in the US.

  • AnTar says:

    What clicked for me was the last part, If D:SOL was an epic solar epistolary love story, TERRAM would be the concluding letter. The heavy, velvet curtain pulled, like dark copper clouds, over the last flickering sunray on the horizon.
    This put my curiosity on fire!
    Thanks! European reader here

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I really enjoyed Cristian’s reviee, as it helps one to see that, not only are the notes excellent, but this is a well-blended composition (“The top notes seep seamlessly into the heart notes, like an obscure, sepia-tone light.”), and that you will be truly ‘hungry for the scent (“All blended in such a way that it forces you to sink your nostrils into your perfumed wrists so deeply that it feels they breach through skin.”)

    I Iive in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • wandering_nose says:

    Cristian’s review is an absolutely amazing piece of writing! He managed to present us with a beautiful mental picture. The melancholy of D:SOL TERRAM sounds irresistible, I love the picture of an “empty, pristine beach neighboring a coniferous forest” and the deep and slightly animalic dry-down of dark chocolate, sea salt and something not quite ‘capturable’. I am based in the Republic of Ireland, EU

  • RonaldJ says:

    I enjoyed reading this review of D:SOL TERRAM by Christian.
    It is always interesting to read about the creative ways in which perfumers build their portfolio. These three perfumes by D:SOL are a great example.

    From Christian’s description, TERRAM sounds like a beautiful perfume. The whole review is lovely, but the concluding description telling of an earthy, primal, humid breath piqued my interest.

    Greetings from the UK.

  • Bear says:

    The mysteriousness of the fragrance draws me to this one. I love the sound of the woody forest, salty sea and chocolate note. It sounds magical. uSA

  • GennyLeigh says:

    A very poetic review. I particularly like the description of the fragrance as “yearning for the departing sun, reaching up like a mortal cursed by the gods…” The magnolia, dark chocolate and sea salt notes seal it for me. Commenting from MD. USA.

  • Dami C says:

    I love the idea of a fragrance triad inspired the sun’s morning, midday, and crepuscular facets. Terram seems to very nicely embody the sunset aspect, with its spicy, balsamic, and earthy notes. I am not familiar with the brand but I have heard of Marie Urban Le FebvreI’s work. I am in the USA.

  • Leanne Modell says:

    The idea of this scent evoking the last rays of the sun sounds so gorgeous — my favorite moment of the day. Dark chocolate and sea salt in the dry down sound absolutely delicious!

  • Vahagn says:

    Really interesting review! I a not familiar with this brand, but this perfume sounds amazing, especially I like this perfume is like “dual sunset”.
    USA

  • Brian says:

    I’m very interested in trying this fragrance. The combination of notes of it seem very appealing to me. I have to think that it is high-quality if CaFleureBon says that it was in it’s top ten fragrances of 2020. I live in MD., U.S.A.

  • bagcd2 says:

    What sparks my interest is that, every breath is earthy, primal, humid!”

    USA Louisiana

  • glowup says:

    Everybody loves the sunshine and this sounds like it emits rays of silliage around the wearer. Very beautiful sounding scent. I live in Indiana USA

  • mronhubbard says:

    This sounds like a unique composition with lots of intriguing notes, and also the review tells an interesting story with some surprising images and feelings. Not what I expected to read today! (USA)

  • LorentzoP says:

    This seems to be a highly complicated and interesting olfactory creation. I would love the chance to see if I could pick up the succession of notes as described by Christian in the review. Greetings from the EU (Greece).

  • Flory89 says:

    This is the first time I hear about this house, thanks to cafleurebon. I must admit that the notes of Terram sound quite interesting and I think I will enjoy this one. Thanks for the review and the nice draw!
    I am in the EU

  • Danu Seith-Fyr says:

    D:SOL are an interesting brand, under my consideration. fascinating to read Cristian’s thoughts and expressions, his art is exceptional and always fascinating. Of the three Terram is the one that sings most joyously on my skin. I enjoyed very much his words of that surrendering state at the end of a sun drenched day. It would be a delight to have Terram in my collection. I live as ever in SW France

  • simo975g says:

    Beautifully written. The smell of the forest is so soothing. I live in Denmark, EU.

  • IvanVelikov says:

    Interesting fragrance, no doubt. Patchouli, vetiver and dark chocolate , classy and elegant scent is what I’m expecting from D:SOL TERRAM
    Thanks for the giveaway
    USA , rarely Paris France

  • Shibics says:

    beautiful review and gorgeous imagery. I was looking at the photos featuring the bottles, in the first one, the bottle is clear, has the colour of the world when the sun has almost set, but still sending rays of light, and the second, in the tryptich, has a darker, less luminous and a bit melancholic shade, like the world in the seconds after the sun is gone – not night yet, not day anymore.
    Minimal design, interesting concept, intrigueing notes – this SHOULD be an awesome frag.
    I am living in Europe.

  • smm13 says:

    The fading of light concluding a day captured by this fragrance is a very intriguing concept. I would love to experience it. I live in the USA.

  • 2alt4u says:

    D:SOL HERBES sounds incredible. I am fascinated that part of the inspiration for the fragrance is the “‘sunset’ that heralds the end of summer”. For me, that has always been one of the most melancholic times of the year and I am captivated by the idea of the perfumer channeling that to create D:SOL HERBES. I often have intrusive thoughts about the inevitability of summers end during the springtime and it makes my heart ache. This review triggered such a response.

    Time is so slippery! Luckily we have perfume, which is like a time and teleportation machine, a cloaking device, a wardrobe of disguises and so many other things. It’s magic. I would love to smell D:SOL HERBES and the other offerings from D:SOL MMXVI. What high art!

    I live in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    This review was beautiful! I love the imagery of a setting sun at the end of summer. Your description of a beach neighboring a coniferous forest sounds so beautiful and notes of chocolate and sea salt sounds so interesting. I’m truly intrigued by your description of this fragrance and I’ve never heard of this house. Thank you for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Claumarchini says:

    Thank you Cristian for this great review! I absolutely love the idea behind these creations of the brand, that is the celebration of the sun and sunshine. Christian’s description of Terram really intrigued me: the notes sound amazing and I love the dichotomy between the sparkling opening and the melancholic drydown. I would love to be the lucky winner! Greetings from Italy

  • Salem says:

    Cristian truly managed to create an atmospheric review for Terram. The crepuscular references, as well as the “sunset of the day” – “sunset of summer” metaphor was just beautiful and inspiring.
    I can definitely imagine this fragrance as being evocative and nostalgic. Galbanum and benzoin are traditionally “introspective” notes and the earthy, dark drydown can only enhance that character.
    I am in the EU.

  • Barber82 says:

    D:SOL TERRAM is classically structured , and well made woody aromatic , bottle fits the fragrance very well.
    Being a barber of course I’m excited to try it.
    Thanks
    USA

  • petergigov says:

    Grown up , and polished woody and balsamic fragrance, my thoughts on D:SOL TERRAM . Like Cristian said , there’s something nostalgic in it.
    Nice giveaway, USA
    USA

  • Mo Yahia says:

    Cristian’s review succeeded in beautifully represent D: SOL TERRAM! He has drawn an attractive picture in my imagination. I liked the idea of an “empty, pristine beach neighboring a coniferous forest” and the deep with an animalistic dry-down of dark chocolate, sea salt, and something that not quite apprehended. Regards from Bosnia.

  • Uncle1979 says:

    Last week I had an order for Dark Chocolate Honey and Pine Nut Wedding Cake , with pine honey in it. Cristian take on D:SOL TERRAM reminded me of the whole thing. I rarely work with pine honey , and it was a lot of fun.
    Appreciate Cristian review, and the giveaway campaign
    USA

  • WaltherP99 says:

    Terram is mixing best of both worlds, masculine and earthy woody aromatic, with resins and 98% dark chocolate. Modern and appealing to different demographics
    Thank you all
    USA only, hopefully not for long

  • Gig84 says:

    TERRAM drew interesting olfactory image in my mind, I always end up my morning jogging with small block of Lindt chocolate
    I don’t know D:SOL MMXVI and the perfumer Marie Urban Le Febvre , but I know the inspiration behind HERBES , it’s the famous liqueur from Mallorca called Hierbas , and I also know the main varieties, there’s a dry one , a sweet one and some mixes .
    Thanks for the draw
    USA, and Germany from time to time

  • Michael Prince says:

    What sparks your interest based on Cristian’s review of TERRAM is the detailed description review of a beautiful aromatic opening, a lovely magnolia note mixing with green and resinous touches and seemless transitions throughout its life. I was also intrigued by the DSOL motto with their line of fragrances meaning “A Sunshine State of Mind.” I am from Ohio, USA.

  • Nom de Guerre says:

    Cristian’s review makes me think of the beauty of Northern California! Greetings from Latvia.