Rima XI by Sara Carner and Sonia Constant for Carner Barcelona 2013

Hey there Posse, The moment I held this Carner Barcelona Rima XI bottle in my hand it was love. So heavy and blocky, a gorgeously minimalist black and clear box that fits my hand like it was my measurements that they’d used. I can see these bottles being the choice of the modern, sleek and wealthy suit set who like things to be substantial yet quietly luxe.

Rima XI by Sara Carner and Sonia Constant for Carner Barcelona 2013

Rima XI Carner Barcelona FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Guatemalan cardamom, Madagascan black pepper, Moroccan mint, saffron
Heart: Ceylon cinnamon, Indonesian nutmeg, coriander, Indian jasmine sambac
Base: Virginia cedar wood, Australian sandalwood, Vanilla absolute, Laotian benzoin, amber, musk

Rima XI is created after this last verse of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s poem Rhyme 11 (I am ardent…).
This is the English translation.
I am a dream, an impossible,
vain ghost of mist and light;
I am bodiless, I am untouchable:
I cannot love you.
Oh, come, you come!

Rima XIs opening is fun and herbal and full of the dry sizzle of pepper which doesn’t last long before the spices and vanilla/amber take over. While it is lovely and sweet, and smooth, the spices keep it also dry and a little dusty. Does the fragrance match the poem for me? No, not even a little bit. Rima XI is all about the soft cuddly warmth of surrender in your lovers arms, the deliciously beautiful moment when you feel safe, respected and loved. This is the sweet cool spring or autumn Sunday mornings where you lie between sleep and awake knowing that someone you choose to be partnered with is beside you. It might also say that you have beautiful bed linen too.

Rima XI by Carner Barcelona clouds PixabayPDI

Rima XI is warm, comforting and playful. Quite fragrant for its first hour but after that I get a soft hum that stays around for ages getting quieter and more diffuse till at some point that I can’t even tell it disappears. If you get it on your clothes though you’ll still smell it 3 or 4 days later when you get them out to wash. Seriously good longevity.

Further reading: Olfactoria’s Travels and Bonkers About Perfume
Parfum1 has $120/50ml

Have you tried any of the Carner Barcelona range? Is amber your thing?
Portia xx

 

curlicue

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  • AnnieA says:

    I have CB Cuirs to get in touch with my masculine side. I want to like amber more than l do. Maybe more as a supporting player.

    • Marianna says:

      Annie if you are looking for a lighter Amber I highly recommend Nobile 1942 Ambre Nobile. Another underrated brand

  • Marianna says:

    Rima XI is great!! I just tried it a couple of days ago and was very impressed. I think Carner Barcelona is one of those lines that does not get credit it deserves – Cuirs, D600, Palo Santo are all well made. Their more upscale li1ne (the black bottle) is very intriguing

    • Portia says:

      Hi Marianna,
      I saw those black bottles at the Esxence 2017. They look great.
      100% agree that Carner Barcelona is under rated.
      Portia xx

  • HeidiC says:

    I’m a much bigger fan of beautiful bed linens than of amber!

  • tiffanie says:

    hi Portia, I am lately more fond of amber after years of tentative sniffs. I like to think my perfume palate is expanding. You bring Rima XI alive with your description. Warm, comforting, and playful — sounds like you!

    I sometimes need a break from my personal perfume bubble here in the coastal SW US. It’s great to have a peek at what’s happening globally, and take an imagined sniff of what’s wafting on your side of the world. Thank you for the review. 🙂

    • Portia says:

      Hey Tiffanie,
      Amber is one of my go-to notes. There is quite a collection here. I love the way they all differ. There is definitely an amber out there for you.
      SW US sounds so bloody exotic, wish I was hanging with you there.
      Portia xx

  • bevfred says:

    Bed linens are almost as important as perfume!

    • Portia says:

      Oh yes BevFred,
      We have a bed linen mixture here. There are some really good quality, heavy 1500 cotton TC all the way down to a Laura Ashley duvet cover (which is so bloody comfortable and soft I love it).
      I love getting into crisp, cool, fresh sheets with a couple of lavender spritzes. Now that is real luxury.
      Portia xx