Description
The collection of Essenze by Ermenegildo Zegna has received a new edition which completes the citrus-aromatic opus including Italian Bergamot and Sicilian Mandarin. The key note of the new edition is petitgrain of bitter orange. Italian bitter orange leaves are collected during harvest from bitter orange trees and their refreshing tartness overlaps the whole composition.
Mediterranean Neroli opens with petitgrain of bitter orange and is combined with characteristic Zegna bergamot, lemon, spearmint and ginger. The heart incorporates neroli in harmony with cypress, lavender, rosemary, rhubarb and jasmine flowers. The base introduces moss from trees, cypriol, musk, ambrox and sandalwood.
Fragrance Mediterranean Neroli arrives in characteristic bottle, as 125ml (4.2 fl.oz) Mediterranean Neroli was launched in 2015.
F.Semago – :
Fast facts:
First spray = high end lemony 4711 for 45-60′
Drydown = high quality neroli (similar to ferrari bright neroli but more refined)
++Scent is super classy and refined
+Skin scent for 6 hours+
-projection lasts for an hour
conclusion:
Rich mans 4711 with neroli.love this but i probably won’t get a second bottle because of the price.
would recommend to well off lemon/neroli lovers.
gij665speagoessenda – :
A beautiful, sophisticated fragrance that reminded me of humid, warm mid-morning morning walks along the Amalfi coast. The fragrance is bright, yet nuanced and layered. Honestly one of the best things I’ve ever smelled, which makes it so hard to give this a neautral review…the longevity – whether on dry or hydrated skin, on clothes, on humid or dry days – just doesn’t last. It’s really disappointing. Perhaps if this was made into a edp we would have a legend here. Until then, just too expensive for the weak longevity and projection. The first thirty minutes is glorious though…
rasiel – :
I have spent the last 2 years searching for the best neroli scent, so I stepped into a Zegna boutique to try this one.
Reminded me a lot of Neroli Portofino but this one is more solid, more of a statement scent than the Tom Ford offering – Neroli Portofino feels extremely bright, airy and dreamy.
Longevity was 3 hours of arm length projection and 2 more hours of skin scent performance (not a big difference with other neroli scents).
Considering that neroli means summer for me, I would go for the TF Neroli than this one. Zegna Mediterranean Neroli is not bad at all but it misses the airy and dreaming feeling that makes TFNP a stand out.
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basota63 – :
Few facts to take into consideration before you blind buy:
– one of the classiest cologne-inspired composition.In my opinion even better than Neroli Portofino and Colonia Essenza.
– it really is classy! Someone with sophisticated taste will find it perfect finish for his morning shower routine.
– one of the shortest-lived aftershave on my skin. It is gone within 2,5 hours and after 3 quarters of nice projection, and after that, it sits close to the skin.
– If you perceive this as an “Eau de Cologne” (Although it is EDT) and can justify spending over 150 pounds for the product with that short duration on your skin you probably will not find anything better than that.
– If spending that much is exorbitance for you, get yourself Mugler Cologne for about 60 pounds and enjoy your 300 ml bottle for longer.
– It is worth getting yourself a sample just to see, if like others you are fortunate enough to have perfect-match-skin-ph-to-that-aftershave. If you do, and this can last on you more than 2,5 hours GO AND GET IT ! NOW !
EDIT: I may have been quite severe in judging a lasting power on this one. After trying “Acqua di Neroli” I think I was able to detect it after 4 hours. Superior to “AdN” by the way.
humanetigor – :
Why an eau de toliette is so expensive? I can buy it but how good is the longevity?
dakota – :
It’s a nice refreshing lemon cologne that shouldn’t cost more than $20 in a 10oz splash on bottle. Having paid $130 a bottle (cheapest I found on the net), I can safely say this is my stupidest blind buy among my almost 30 blind buys.
merrss – :
I recommended this to my husband after smelling it on one of my male friends.
I think it’s gorgeous and I also think it can be unisex. Right or wrong, this reminds me of Caron’s Narcisse Noir, the ‘70’s version.
I think this is a beautiful fragrance, the Neroli is in my opinion, quite unique. In so many current fragrances, Neroli comes across as fresh dry citrus. In this one and NN, it’s dark and wet. I love it.
toscha.denisow2010 – :
Similar to TF Neroli Portofino? Really?
NP is almost as weak as 4711. It lasts half a day on a paper strip.
Mediterranean Neroli will last at least 2 months.
On my skin NP is hardly noticeable for about 2 hours, than it’s gone. Find Ferrari bright Neroli far better.
Mediterranean Neroli has a very strong Bergamot opening that doesn’t just fill a room, it fills my entire house, 3 floors.
I had to promisse my wife I will never use this stuff indoors when she is around.
4-5 hours after spraying I let her smell my wrist and than she was surprised most of the citrus scent as she discribes, had gone.
The dry down, although very good still does not have much in common with a real Neroli plant, Citrus Aurantium Amara, so abundant in Italy, or Madeira.
The plant itself has a very dense oily scent. Not really Amara (sharp)
I first noticed the ivy plants on the walls of Rome last year. Last May we were in Madeira and we had an ivy in our hotel garden. So we had plenty of occasions to smell it.
I am telling you, I don’t smell anything similar on Neroli Portofino, Bright Neroli, 4711 or Mediterranean Neroli.
One fragrance that in fact does remind me of real Neroli, for it’s oily sent is Chanel pour monsieur eau de parfum. But this one does not list Neroli! Nor is it very suitable for hot weather.
Anyway, Ermenegildo Zegna’s Mediterranean Neroli is a type of Summer fragrance I have been looking for, that really performs but also has character and sophistication. I am not sure yet were it belongs on my favorite Summer list among the Chanels and Acquas di Parmas. Top 10 for sure. In time, after wearing it on more and different occasions I will update my review.
Update: It’s beastmode for sure. And that for a Citrusy Summer fragrance.
The best I know.
snaiper555 – :
I don’t understand why Neroli Portofino is even being mentioned in reviews. The Zegna smells nothing like the Tom Ford, they couldn’t be more different, just because they both have Neroli doesn’t make them smell the same..but as usual people click the button like sheep and just go along with what others say.
I’m certain none of those who find them similar actually own both, maybe you tried them at a department store on the same day and your nose was overworked because that’s the only excuse I can think of for someone to find them identical or similar.
I feel sorry for the people that blind buy based on Fragrantica reviews
malys222 – :
Nice citrus scent. At first neroli notes are quite harsh but later it softens and it’s truly delightful. Moreover, longevity is perfect. I would say this scent is modern and totally unisex.
nikolashchenko – :
Fresh, clean, bright and uplifting. A fantastic blend of citrus with neroli, with the occasional floral element. This is a classic, rethought and executed with good quality ingredients–also evident in its lasting power. The main players here are neroli and that excellent Zegna bergamot. Into the dry-down, there is a drier, woody element.
This fragrance simply puts a smile on my face, it feels like a perfect pairing when wearing a light coloured shirt and walking in the sun.
It reminds me of 4711 as well as Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino. This outperforms both, and smells less “rough” than NP, yet more masculine.
Longevity is good, I got a solid 9 hours with 2.5-3.5 hours of very good projection.
namiq_357 – :
Unlike the comically overpriced Neroli Portofino, it actually puts a new spin on the tried and true 4711 formula. Much manlier than Neroli Portofino, better performance, much cheaper, and more sexy and interesting because of that petitgrain. You don’t necessarily even need to try it before you buy it. It will be liked by all
rudoplon – :
Mediterranean Neroli reminds me of bright sunny days. Neroli at it’s best, bright and beautiful. Blended with petitgrain and bergamot. Later drying down into a soft woody/citrus. The neroli lasts throughout the day. Absolutely delicious! It lasts a long time on me and I have gotten many compliments.
den26rus – :
This is quite a smashing perfume, I think. It’s a modern, serious, fresh, clean and masculine masterpiece interpretation of the traditional herbal citrus and neroli theme. Compared to Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino (one of my absolute favourites) Mediterranean Neroli opens with slightly more tartness and bitterness, reveals lots of petitgrain along the neroli, and has a slightly woodier and more animalic drydown. All in all a true delight to wear from beginning to end with pleasant sillage and good longevity 🙂
vidinev – :
Scent 10/10
Projection 7/10
Longevity 7/10
Overall 8/10
I get noticed, it garners compliments.
100 euros cheaper than Neroli Portofino and better performance.
bad109 – :
This is a darker, more layered, and I would argue more masculine take on neroli than Neroli Portofino (sweeter, more floral and soapier) or Colonge Indelebile (much simpler and laundry-like).
The image I get here is still coastal and mediterranean but the summer sunbathing crowds have all gone home and the sky is moody and overcast. The water isn’t turquoise now but a beautiful emerald green.
The quality of the neroli and bergamote is outstanding and I would still call this a refreshing citrus fragrance even with its cooler, woody undertones. The cypriol oil works wonders here, lending a touch of cool smokiness as it does in Timbuktu. The rhubarb is subtle and seems to widen the tart, juicy area already staked out by the bergamot and neroli. Not much else stands out to me, save for a small nod to mediterranean cologne tradition through the lavender and rosemary. If the ginger in the note list is setting off your “trendy note” alarm don’t worry, it’s barely detectable. All of the pieces work together very closely.
This is exactly the intense neroli fragrance I wanted and I would recommend this to anyone who wasn’t satisfied with the other new generation of edp-strength, neroli-based scents I mentioned above.
Lonefreft – :
Layer with TF Fleur Di Portofino – Yahtzee!
sergo1980 – :
Have to agree with Azri on this one. The entire Essenze line is an understated delight. I discovered my agreement with Neroli after purchasing Dunhill’s Icon and after having tried Neroli Portofino Acqua by TF, figured Id be able to safely go for Zegnas iteration – blindly. After having tried this in the store however, I find that this may be more (straight) Neroli than I could ever hope to wear. It is very sharp and very much Neroli and to me, that is about it. I feel the citruses I got in Sicilian Mandarin were more than enough and much more to my liking – add that there are other complimentary notes that make Mandarin more complex, it also makes that much more wearable and likeable. Sicilian Mandarin, Bergamot and Neroli from Zegna all share that citrus but the Mandarin is done in the most classy and unique way.
nunkCuckyvele – :
Having just purchased Med. Neroli I had to write a review because this fragrance is simply stunning.
I love Neroli fragrances and have a fondness for citrus/white floral scents. AdP’s Essenza being a particular favourite of mine so when I saw that Zegna had released Med. Neroli I was excited to try it and it didn’t let me down. It starts out with a zing and this is where the neroli is most present, balanced with Zegna’s trademark bergamot. In some ways I find the opening of this scent similar to FM’s Cologne Indelebile. I would say Med. Neroli is more refined with a softer edge and greater depth. There’s certainly neroli’s metallic signature although this is softened out with a floral sweetness that stops the fragrance from being too shrill. There’s the added touch of herbal elements that takes it away from the likes of Neroli Portofino etc. and more into masculine territory. As the scent dries down I start to smell more of the woody and herbal undertones although it never loses its neroli/bergamot/pettigrain signature.
As stated below, this is a masculine neroli done extremely well. It’s more complex than Cologne Indelible and has much better performance than many neroli scents such as Neroli Portofino; I get 8-10hrs consistently with good projection too (I’ve received many compliments wearing this). Definitely more suited to spring and summer, as this genre of scents generally are, however I see no reason why you couldn’t pull this off in the colder months too due to the drier/herbal notes.
The Zegna Essenza range is an excellent line of fragrances and I’m looking forward to adding more to my collection. Let’s just hope they don’t reformulate or scrimp on the quality.
EDIT:
After wearing this fragrance for a few days I find it really interesting. It can be sweet and light, fresh and spicy or even woody. Perhaps it’s just me or the way it behaves on my skin as I know some people find this scent quite linear but for me it changes in surprising ways throughout the day – I love it.
PadaleciSuper – :
I own the entire collection of Zegna Essenze fragrances, and Mediterranean Neroli is my recent purchase. Clean, bitter, citrus fragrance. The heaviest citrus among the all three in Zegna Essenze collection. Sicilian Mandarin is the lightest and cleanest (hence my favourite). I do not like it initially, because it reminds me of my car air-freshener. It dries down to a little metallic and remains pretty much linear.
Kiryxa – :
I was shocked since I didn’t find it on Fragrantica at the time, so I wasn’t sure what to expect nor how to explain the sensation.
One thing that stood out was a dark warm “vibrancy” that contrasts its bright citrus opening, which differs from Tom Ford’s semisweet aromatic (cool breeze) Portofino.
Mediterranean Neroli comes with a bitterness that’s surprisingly pleasant; I can only guess it’s the balance between Zegna’s signature bergamot (more bitter than most, as shown in other fragrances of this line), neroli & petitgrain (with their bitter-green characters), the spiced vegetative herbs [mint, ginger, rosemary, rhubarb (most prominent)], and a dash of oakmoss; while the warmth possibly came from ambroxan.
Although I would’ve preferred a little more floral (I’m obsessed with this flower), I have to say it’s one of the most well done masculine interpretation of neroli!
magor – :
high quality light neroli based scent which doesn’t break any boundaries but with undoubted quality of ingredients which compliment the current Zegna range.it has surprisingly been available in David Jones,Sydney store for the past three weeks..no doubt to coincide with summer.
Карим1982 – :
This is a gorgeous fragrance with the divine pairing of bergamot and neroli. And it’s the sheer quality of the ingredients that is impressive. The bergamot smells like it has been freshly squeezed into the bottle coupled with the beautiful neroli.
It’s a light fragrance but not too light with about average projection. I’ve been out and about wearing this and have been surrounded in a beautiful haze of bergamot and neroli, very beautiful.
After about ninety minutes the bergamot dissipates and the neroli becomes more sensual. It’s so well blended that I cannot until the drydown detect any other notes from the neroli that now dominates.
After another hour I can start to smell woods, moss and musk though the lovely neroli still dominates. The scent though does reign itself in after this on the projection front but I can still smell it.
All in all a very beautiful light fragrance that perfectly suits the Spring/Summer months. The neroli does have extra depth but is so well blended with other notes to pin point exactly how. I’m thinking it’s the jasmine that is giving it that sensual aspect but this is subjective.
The presentation is great as well with the box and bottle, this is my first fragrance with a magnetic cap. All in all a thumbs up from me. Lovely!
forzheka – :
This new Zegna Essenze offerings is a little perfection. A new standard, for me, in the neroli fragrances. While most neroli, petit-grain & citrus fragrances offer a mixture of cleanness & soapiness, Mediterranean Neroli remains a pure aromatic, green & citrus concoction and never end up on the soapy territory. A blast of citrus & petit-grain and then the neroli comes in (almost simultaneously). It does remind me a lot of Zegna’s Essenze Sicilian Mandarin, in the dry down, for it’s aromatic greenness (citrus, petit-grain, mint & moss), but with a little extra. Cypress and sandalwood are extremely light and distant and seems to appear much later in the dry down. Longevity is very good (5-6 hrs) and sillage is discreet. For nearly the same price as Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino 50ml you get 125ml of Mediterranean Neroli.
Like for Zegna’s Italian Bergamot & Acqua di Bergamotto, Mediterranean Neroli is an all year round pleasure sure to give you sweet dreams on a cold winter’s night!
It is quite impossible to reinvent the genre, so much has been tried and done with those same ingredients, but Ermenegildo Zegna’s team presents a high quality product with a personality of its own and a smell as real as can be. The whole Essenze Line is amazing… and those magnificent bottles. A must try!