LOUIS VUITTON
MATIERE NOIRE

2016

PERFUMER
Jacques Cavallier

Oud
jasmine sambac
Narcissus
Rose centifolia
Cyclamen
Patchouli
Incense

‘A blend of dark wood and white flowers ventures into a world of mystery. Exploring the universe is the ultimate travel fantasy and most thrilling adventure. Matière Noire plumbs intangible depths with a journey through the darkest, most precious woods, namely patchouli and agarwood. The agarwood’s animal notes are intensified by blackcurrant and contrasted with the whiteness of narcissus and jasmine, a floral vibration that cuts the darkness like a comet. Plumes of sacred notes unfurl on the skin. The disruption is total, almost mystical.’ – Louis Vuitton

It’s no secret that the Louis Vuitton line and me haven’t been the best match; I find a lot of their scents pleasant, but underwhelming. Matiere Noire is definitely up there as one of the few that I’d consider adding to my collection at one point, albeit it not a real wishlist fragrance either.

I’d call this a subdued and subtle fruity rose oud. It’s almost like taking the average and overdone rose-oud scent and watering it down, which mind you, I mean as a positive in this case.

There’s a dewy and watery quality to it, that keeps the rose from being too vibrant, the blackcurrant from being cloying or the oud from being…well, noticeable if we’re being totally honest. Yet, it smells pretty great and mature.

It’s a rather dark scent profile, that wears like a light fragrance.