No. 3 Notes of Cabernet
Designed for wine lovers and fans of dark, atmospheric scents, this perfume blends the dry aroma of red wine with rugged materials. It opens with a bright spark of pink pepper before sinking into a heart of unsweetened black cherry. The foundation is built on a smoky base of leather and tobacco blossom, creating a dark, unisex profile that shuns corporate cleanliness. It shines brightest during chilly autumn nights spent indoors, offering a cozy yet sophisticated aura. If you are looking for a unique, leathery fruit scent that ignores gourmand trends, this bottle deserves a place in your cool-weather rotation.
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Performance Metrics
24 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Lasts five to six hours on skin with moderate to intimate sillage. It projects within arm's length for the first hour before settling into a warm leather skin scent, performing best in cool autumn climates.
Notes Pyramid
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A dry, textured blend of hot pink pepper, tart black cherry, and rustic leather. The fragrance avoids sugary sweetness, focusing instead on a smoky, woody aroma reminiscent of oak wine barrels and tobacco blossom.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe leather accord dominates the wear, providing an animalic, slightly smoky foundation. The cherry accord sits on top, staying dry and tannic rather than sweet, while soft spices keep the composition lively and warm.
Community Data
57 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Delivers a realistic, dry red wine aroma without artificial sweetness
Features a rugged, worn-leather base that adds masculine structure
Stays close to the skin, making it perfect for dining settings
Unisex balance works well for both men and women
Saves you from the typical cloying cherry dessert trends
Perfect for crisp autumn evenings and dark bar dates
Spicy pink pepper provides a lively, energetic opening kick
Smoky tobacco blossom adds a subtle, warm background depth
Avoids clean, soapy corporate formulas in favor of character
Priced reasonably for a unique, niche-concept fragrance line
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Longevity is limited, fading to a skin scent within three hours
Intimate projection will disappoint fans of loud fragrances
Lack of sweetness makes the cherry note polarizing for beginners
Animalic leather undertone can smell dusty on certain skin types
Not versatile enough for warm spring or summer daytime wear
Fails to project well in cold, sub-zero winter outdoor air
Spicy pepper opening can feel a bit harsh for the first minute
Woody, cellar-like qualities may smell too damp for some
Difficult to wear in professional office or corporate settings
Hard to find in physical stores for pre-purchase testing
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Kelly & Jones No. 3 Notes of Cabernet Review: Wine Bar Realism”
The opening of No. 3 Notes of Cabernet catches you off guard with a sharp, sneezing blast of pink pepper. It is dry, dusty, and hot, immediately clearing the senses before the main event arrives. Within a minute, a distinct black cherry note emerges, but it is not the syrupy, cherry-pie sweetness found in mainstream gourmands. Instead, it carries the tart, slightly bitter skin of the fruit, mimicking the initial sip of a heavy red wine.
As the fragrance settles, the heart reveals its wine-inspired origins. The cherry softens, blending with a dusty, woody quality that feels like oak barrels stored in a damp cellar. There is a faint floral trail from tobacco blossom, adding a dry sweetness that keeps the mid-phase from becoming too sour on the skin. It feels atmospheric, like sitting in a dimly lit bar with a glass of cabernet in hand.
In the dry-down, the scent shifts focus from fruit to structure. A prominent leather note takes over, smelling more like a worn, oiled jacket than brand-new luxury goods. The leather has an animalic, slightly musky undertone that adds weight and grit to the composition. It warms up on the skin, losing the initial pepper heat and settling into a dark, comforting purr.
Performance is modest, which might disappoint those looking for a powerhouse. The scent projects moderately for the first hour, creating a personal bubble, but then drops close to the skin. You will get around five to six hours of wear before it fades completely. It is a scent designed for intimate spaces, cool autumn evenings, and casual date nights where loud projection is a drawback.
This is not a crowd-pleasing department store scent, and it will not suit everyone. The lack of sugar makes the cherry note polarizing, and the animalic leather requires a wearer who appreciates rustic, textured fragrances. It is a unisex creation that fits best with casual, dark clothing and cool weather, providing a cozy, moody vibe.
Ultimately, Kelly & Jones has created a highly specific mood piece rather than a daily workhorse. It avoids the easy path of making a sweet, commercial cherry scent, choosing instead to focus on wine-cellar realism. If you want a dry, leathery, and slightly smoky fruit fragrance for cozy nights, this is a rewarding bottle to own.
FAQs
What does No. 3 Notes of Cabernet smell like?+
This fragrance mimics a glass of red wine poured in a wood-paneled room. It leads with a sharp, spicy pink pepper, followed quickly by a dry cherry note. A heavy, animalic leather base emerges during the dry-down, wrapping the dark fruit in a smoky, unsweetened haze.
How does the fragrance evolve from the opening to the dry-down?+
The opening is bright and spicy, driven by a punch of pink pepper. Within fifteen minutes, the cherry note emerges, though it remains dry rather than sugary. The final stage is dominated by leather and smoky tobacco blossom, which linger on the skin for hours.
How long does No. 3 Notes of Cabernet last on skin?+
You can expect about five to six hours of wear from this scent. The pink pepper and cherry are prominent for the first two hours, after which the fragrance settles into a low-projecting leather and tobacco skin scent.
What is the sillage and projection of this fragrance?+
The projection is moderate to intimate, radiating about arm's length for the first hour before drawing closer. It is not a room-filling scent, making it suitable for close-quarters dining where loud perfumes might interfere with the taste of food.
What is the best season and weather to wear this perfume?+
This scent performs best in cool autumn and winter weather. The warmth of the leather and the richness of the dark cherry bloom beautifully in crisp, chilly air, whereas summer heat can make the animalic accords feel heavy.
For what occasions is No. 3 Notes of Cabernet most suitable?+
This is a prime choice for evening wear, casual date nights, wine tastings, or cozy bar visits. Its rich cherry and leather profile matches dark clothing, candlelight, and relaxed, intimate social settings rather than formal daytime offices.
Does this scent lean masculine or feminine?+
The fragrance is truly unisex. The sweet cherry and soft pink pepper appeal to feminine tastes, while the heavy leather, smoky tobacco blossom, and animalic undertones provide a rugged, masculine edge that balances the composition.
Who is the ideal target audience for this fragrance?+
It suits fragrance enthusiasts who enjoy dry, non-gourmand fruit scents and wine lovers who appreciate sensory storytelling. It is perfect for people who prefer structured leather and spice over clean, fresh, or sugary profiles.
Can you layer No. 3 Notes of Cabernet with other perfumes?+
Yes, it layers well with simple vanilla or amber fragrances. Adding a warm amber base softens the dry, animalic edges of the leather, making the cherry note feel rounder, sweeter, and more approachable for casual wear.
How does this compare to other wine-inspired fragrances?+
Unlike sweeter, grape-soda scents, this focus is on the dry, tannic quality of cabernet. The addition of pink pepper and leather makes it feel more like an atmospheric room than a simple fruit cocktail.
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Dupes & Alternatives
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Consider Nasomatto Baraonda for a richer, boozier experience, or Les Liquides Imaginaires Bloody Wood if you want a lighter, rose-tinted red wine scent.
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