• About
  • Login to comment
    • Facebook
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Perfumers
  • Perfume Houses
  • Shop for perfume
  • Resources

Christian Dior Escale a Portofino ~ new fragrance

Posted by Robin on 28 April 2008 62 Comments

Christian Dior Escale a Portofino perfumeComing in May from Christian Dior, Escale à Portofino, the first in a projected yearly series of "fragrance cruise collections", all of which will reportedly share the same bottle design. The debut fragrance in the series was inspired by Portofino on the Italian Riviera.

The notes include Calabrian bergamot, Italian citron, Sicilian petitgrain, bitter almond, orange blossom, juniper berry, cold spices, cypress, cedar, white musk, caraway and galbanum.

Christian Dior Escale à Portofino will be available in 75 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette. (via cosmeticsint.co.uk, image via valeriejanssens.vox)

Update: according to cosmeticnews, Escale à Portofino will be in very limited distribution, and will only be sold in one store in the United States.

Another update: you can now find Portofino quite widely in the US.

Filed Under: new fragrances
Tagged With: dior

Advertisement


62 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 10:30 am

    I've seen this *movie* several times :)) My trust in Dior vanished as soon as they started releasing like 3 frags a year. I was never a huge fan of Dior, and besides Addict, I have to really make an effort to think of another Dior frag that I really like, excluding here their classics and men's frags.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 10:38 am

    Ah, but does the Calabrian bergamot have pseudoinnocence? ;)

    Log in to Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 10:54 am

    I adore the older Dior scents, and like a few of the Poisons…but this “travel” fragrance idea is getting overdone, so many brands are doing it. We'll see, perhaps this will be marvelous.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 10:54 am

    And of course it ain't worth smelling it it doesn't!

    Log in to Reply
  5. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 11:37 am

    I like several of the older Diors and this sounds like it could be a lovely eau with the caraway and bitter almond as a twist. Living in Miami, I can never have too many eaus, but it will have a hard time knocking Eau du Coq, Eau de Guerlain, Orange Vert, and Mugler Cologne out of the first ranks.

    Log in to Reply
  6. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 12:16 pm

    We have many of the same favorites! I do like this bottle, let's hope the scent is worthy.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Anonymous says:
    28 April 2008 at 11:41 pm

    It could be interesting, if they don't amp up the caraway and musk beyond hot weather tolerance. And, yes, of course, only if the Calabrian bergamot is insouciant with pseudoinnocence. If not, pfui.

    Log in to Reply
  8. Anonymous says:
    29 April 2008 at 12:26 pm

    “very limited distribution” – hmm, maybe they should sell it only in Portofino and add a note – for very limited group of very rich people. I am disappointed by such a proclaimed limitation, because Portofino and similar places became a synonym for snobbery. It surprises me that they put it in the name of the scent. What's next – A yacht in Monaco edt? Oh, well… :-)

    Log in to Reply
  9. Anonymous says:
    29 April 2008 at 6:55 pm

    See the update above…pfui on Dior in any case, since I'll probably never get to try it.

    Log in to Reply
  10. Anonymous says:
    29 April 2008 at 6:56 pm

    I'm bummed too…we've little enough interesting from Dior these days. Monaco probably next in line.

    Log in to Reply
  11. Anonymous says:
    3 May 2008 at 1:38 am

    Wo-ho! The notes shout UNISEX! Hope I get the chance to try it.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Anonymous says:
    3 May 2008 at 10:40 am

    It just appeared online at Harrods today, first I've seen it for sale.

    Log in to Reply
  13. Anonymous says:
    3 May 2008 at 3:37 pm

    I checked it out, and of course, seems like it's Harrod's policy is not to send perfumes overseas. Argh! Strike one!

    Log in to Reply
  14. Anonymous says:
    3 May 2008 at 7:08 pm

    Figures! Ah well, we know somebody in the US is going to get it.

    Log in to Reply
  15. Anonymous says:
    8 May 2008 at 4:14 pm

    Those notes sound really nice, I feel like I'm getting to that age where I'm looking for something a little different than what I've liked in the past, possible something more “grown up.” ;-) The bottle also looks very simple and pretty, love that.

    I was planning my summer vacation for Neiman Marcus, will have to tell hubby that plans now include a stopover in London!

    Log in to Reply
  16. Anonymous says:
    9 May 2008 at 9:54 am

    It is supposed to be at one store in the US, I just don't know which one. Would guess Bergdorf Goodman.

    Log in to Reply
  17. Anonymous says:
    9 May 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Excellent! I can't wait to hear wait to hear some reviews. And I'm guessing it will be available on the Internet eventually, that really is a blessing for us small-town girls!

    Log in to Reply
  18. Anonymous says:
    10 May 2008 at 9:05 am

    It is on the internet now at Harrods, but if it goes into Bergdorfs, hard to say — they don't put everything online. We'll have to hope!

    Log in to Reply
  19. Anonymous says:
    28 May 2008 at 1:15 pm

    I was afraid you would say that about Bergdorf's. I read that nationwide (U.S.) distribution will be June 23.

    Log in to Reply
  20. Anonymous says:
    28 May 2008 at 1:20 pm

    Well who knows, maybe Neiman Marcus will have it? Now that I think about it, it would be absurd to just do BG, wouldn't it…

    Log in to Reply
  21. Anonymous says:
    17 June 2008 at 1:04 pm

    I saw the ad for this new fragrance at DFS Galleria here in Sydney, so it might also be available overseas in travel retail.

    Log in to Reply
  22. Anonymous says:
    17 June 2008 at 2:34 pm

    Wish I could figure out who has it in the US…or maybe it isn't here yet…

    Log in to Reply
  23. Anonymous says:
    29 June 2008 at 7:26 am

    Have you smelled this yet?

    I must say I simply love it! It is so fresh, clean and elegant. I often spend my summer vacations at the Mediterranean Sea, and this makes me dream about the perfect holiday moments I`ve had there. It is citrusy and fresh, but still soft and sophisticated. A perfect summer scent!

    Log in to Reply
  24. Anonymous says:
    29 June 2008 at 10:01 am

    I have not — haven't seen it, although I also haven't really looked. Haven't been in a mall in weeks…

    Am hearing good things though!

    Log in to Reply
  25. Anonymous says:
    29 June 2008 at 1:47 pm

    It is really nice to be suprised in å positive way, and this was absolutely a pleasant surprise from Dior. I haven`t been much of an Dior-fan either, but now i must give them some credit ;-) I live in Norwa, by the way, and i find this in every perfume shop here. I think I must by a bottle tomorrow.

    Log in to Reply
  26. Anonymous says:
    29 June 2008 at 8:08 pm

    Glad to hear another glowing report — I'll find it eventually!

    Log in to Reply
  27. Anonymous says:
    30 June 2008 at 8:21 pm

    If you're going to Hawaii anytime soon, DFS Galleria has bottles for sale. This became my vacation scent. I wore it every day. The citrus is crisp and it exceeded my expectations. If only Dior could release more like this!

    Log in to Reply
  28. Anonymous says:
    30 June 2008 at 8:47 pm

    Sorry to say I've no such plans! But I'll find it.

    Log in to Reply
  29. Anonymous says:
    1 July 2008 at 11:16 pm

    Bless you, shopaholicnyc for reporting your find at the DFS Waikiki. I'm glad you found your way out of that maze of a store! I kept turning corners everywhere trying to look for the escalators! I was screaming inside with joy sniffing this. A classic eau de cologne–citrus with woody accents and a clean musk finish. I instantly thought of Chanel's EDC from the Exclusif line, less the patchouli I think. Added plus was that I didn't have to pay the duty tax. $56 bought me the 75 ml bottle. I think I'll head there again when I wanna shop less than retail.

    Log in to Reply
  30. Anonymous says:
    1 July 2008 at 11:31 pm

    GEEZ LOU-weez! I don't suppose this was the “one store” in the US carrying it, would it? The woman said that it's just been a month since it appeared on the shelf. A sad shame if there isn't a store somewhere on the continent.

    Log in to Reply
  31. Anonymous says:
    2 July 2008 at 12:51 am

    I am thinking the “one store” had to be a wwd mistake since there are reports that it is at Debenhams. I don't have a Debenhams near me, but haven't been shopping in weeks. Hope to make it this weekend, for all I know, it is easily available nearby…

    Log in to Reply
  32. Anonymous says:
    9 July 2008 at 8:41 am

    The review mentions limited distribution. Does that also mean limited edition? Should I hurry?

    Log in to Reply
  33. Anonymous says:
    9 July 2008 at 11:53 am

    Duh…Debenhams is in the UK — never mind!

    Log in to Reply
  34. Anonymous says:
    9 July 2008 at 11:54 am

    Siamesecat, so far as I know it is not limited edition, but of course I could be wrong.

    Log in to Reply
  35. Anonymous says:
    9 July 2008 at 3:03 pm

    The SA did say it is a limited edition so what's out there is all they have unless they decide otherwise. Makeupalley users as that this is the first of under what's called the Crusier line of limited eds of Eaux.

    It's well done, very classic but in no way unique. It barely lasts 3 hours on my skin, but will definitely last 6-8 hours on clothing. The drydown is where the money is, so clean and fresh with a bit of floralcy.

    Log in to Reply
  36. Anonymous says:
    9 July 2008 at 5:10 pm

    Thanks!

    Log in to Reply
  37. Anonymous says:
    17 July 2008 at 12:02 pm

    I just smelled this in a DF shop at LAX and I was so mad that I could not buy since I wasn't traveling outisde of the US, what a tease! I sprayed it on and it was very citrusy but I loved it, perfect for summer! I will need to hunt someone down who will be traveling to buy me some of this.

    Log in to Reply
  38. Anonymous says:
    17 July 2008 at 7:27 pm

    How frustrating! I'm really surprised this hasn't yet shown up in “regular” retail in the US.

    Log in to Reply
  39. Anonymous says:
    18 July 2008 at 9:17 am

    I am on vacation here in Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. I visited EPCOT, and inside “France”, they are selling these bottles. The fragrance really is delicious, as they say! I just bought one for myself and one for my mom at $60 each. According to the salesperson, the scent will only be sold there, and only for one year! So to make sure he was telling the truth, i did research online, and it might be true. Well, either way, i consider myself quite fortunate to happily stumble upon this beautiful cologne!

    Log in to Reply
  40. Anonymous says:
    18 July 2008 at 10:02 am

    LOL — that is hysterical! One store, and it's in Disney. Thanks!

    And congrats on your purchase, of course :-)

    Log in to Reply
  41. Anonymous says:
    18 July 2008 at 1:19 pm

    Well aren't you lucky! I won't be going there anytime soon so I guess I will need to find someone who will be traveling soon.

    Log in to Reply
  42. Anonymous says:
    5 September 2008 at 6:55 am

    There we go, another boring scent…. this is getting more and more depressive by the day. I don't even know why they still have Monica Bellucci as a face of the brand. That woman wouldn't probably wear half of the s**t she's advertising for. Except from the Poisons (classic, Hypnotic, Midnight) I don't really care for Dior. Apart from this, all fragrance houses seem to have made a secret diabolical pact lately to bore the hell out of us with grandma and Paris Hilton scents.

    Log in to Reply
  43. Anonymous says:
    5 September 2008 at 11:11 am

    The reviews I've seen have been generally favorable, but I haven't smelled it yet.

    Log in to Reply
  44. Anonymous says:
    8 October 2008 at 4:19 pm

    This one is horrible. It smells like citrus… to much citrus. I cant smell anything else… this strange citrus note is everywhere. Sorry but I don't like it :(

    Log in to Reply
  45. Anonymous says:
    8 October 2008 at 5:35 pm

    It's meant to be citrusy. I still haven't tried it though.

    Log in to Reply
  46. Anonymous says:
    7 December 2008 at 4:22 pm

    i hqve ried several frangrances a day during my recent stay in france, not buying anything. then at the end of my trip i went to a shop at the paris airport, feeling like i wanted to buy something (for me, but also maybe for my mum for christmas). for some reason, after trying numerous fragrances that often smelled boring and all the same to me, i quite liked this (i like citrusy fragrances and this seemed to be a nice combination of citrus and something more feminine and lush). i usually deside to buy things after trying and trying them, but pressed for time and tired, i bougt this one on the spot.

    just unpacked it now and tried it, and i kinda think i sould have thought more before buying. it is not bad but there is 1) something slightly boring about it, 2) a feeling it do smell a bit like a detergent for washing up or something. it is that citrus-that-is-just-citrus. lesson learned, will things more tries next time i go shopping

    i like the packaging and the name but honestly, i feel it should be a bit more luxurious and feminine scent which it is not. my mum will not be dissapointed as it might make a usebla, “versatile”, light everyday fragrance (she is no connoiseur for perfume and would be as well satisfid with some cheap drugstore scent, it has to be said), but for my use it does not seem interesting enough.

    Log in to Reply
  47. Anonymous says:
    7 December 2008 at 11:47 pm

    What a shame! At this point I've heard wildly varying things — some people really seem to like it, others like you are finding it a bit dull. Hope your Mom will like it, at any rate.

    Log in to Reply
  48. Anonymous says:
    12 December 2008 at 3:43 pm

    thanks, it is nice of you to say that:)

    Log in to Reply
  49. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2009 at 7:13 am

    I have tried this. The citrus scent is not strong, but I do get a refreshing burst of bergamot and bitter almond. Its wonderful and my body loves it.

    Log in to Reply
  50. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2009 at 4:42 pm

    Sounds lovely!

    Log in to Reply
  51. Anonymous says:
    10 March 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Nordstrom on-line has this now. Hmm…I'm still wondering whether or not it's bottle worthy.

    Log in to Reply
  52. Anonymous says:
    10 March 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Gracious, I was just there this morning (online I mean, at N.)

    I still haven't tried this one at all. If they get it in-store, I'll finally get a sniff…

    Log in to Reply
  53. Oana says:
    1 April 2009 at 10:56 am

    Its smells like a bitter grapefruit piel to me. I know it’s probably bergamot but once I smell my wrists it smells like the grapefruit piel. In general I am not too fond on citrus fragrances but this one captured my attention. The bitterness is so good and juicy and I like the woody tones of it. Its like drinking cold juice in a hot summer day.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      1 April 2009 at 12:12 pm

      I’ve only given it a quick sniff on paper so far, but it did seem really nice…I’ll have to go back for a sample.

      Log in to Reply
  54. Haunani says:
    28 June 2009 at 1:46 am

    This may be old news now, but I was on a rare shopping trip this weekend and spritzed a bit of this on at a Nordstrom in the San Francisco bay area. Gorgeous bottle and made a really good first impression. They made me a sample; looking forward to a full trial.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      28 June 2009 at 6:58 pm

      Yes, our Nordstrom has had it for awhile too…hope that means they’ll get the Pondichery soon.

      Log in to Reply
  55. annemarie says:
    8 August 2009 at 6:05 am

    I’ve recently spotted it in two department stores and a specialist perfumery, so Portofino must be pretty widely available now. I bought some and regret it slightly, because after the lovely citrus beginning I find the bitterness rather harsh. My son tells me I ‘smell funny’. Hmm … not good. I’ll put it away for summer and see how it goes then. Someone told me that she wore it in Singapore and it was magnificent in the heat. Certainly there is not a hint of warmth in the scent.

    Luca Turin asks why the packaging is so trashy. I don’t see where he is coming from at all. To my eye the bottle looks cool, elegant and understated. Robin often says that there is nothing new in bottle design these days and I agree, but a bottle can delight the eye without being outstandingly original.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      9 August 2009 at 10:57 am

      It does seem much more widely distributed now. Agree on the packaging, I think it’s an attractive bottle.

      Log in to Reply
  56. daniellek says:
    2 September 2010 at 3:46 am

    I love this fragrance! Impossible to find in the US, I actually started wearing this while I was living in Paris for several years – so I stocked up before I came home! I think it’s the perfect summer/spring scent, and honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to stop wearing it when it’s cold out too. ;) On me it seems to only smell like sweetish/tangy lemon (i don’t really know perfume lingo) and I love it!!!! A perfect lemony (but not cleaning-product lemony…) fragrance :)

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      2 September 2010 at 9:03 am

      It was hard to find when it first came out, but Macy’s and Nordstrom have it now.

      Log in to Reply
  57. daniellek says:
    2 September 2010 at 3:47 am

    ps… Escale means layover

    Log in to Reply
  58. oOwordgirlOo says:
    18 September 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Okay, I can see that I’m YEARS late in posting this review, but I did find (and begin wearing) Escale a Portofino in @ 2008. I was in the duty-free shop in Copenhagen when I discovered it.

    Now, I have to begin by saying that there are remarkably few fragrances that work with my particular chemistry, so I scavenge for fragrances that I like/love, that also smell the same on me as they do in the bottle.

    EaP was love at first spray. It is light and citrus-y, but complex enough to be more grown-up as compared to some light fragrances.

    (I occasionally also wore RL Romance until recently, when I noticed that a couple of bottles I’d purchased from stores like Macy’s lost their fragrance [or turned into something unrecognizable and barely perceptible] after sitting –in a cool, shaded spot– for a couple of months. After purchases from two different retailers at different times of year, I’ve given up, because by the time the fragrance turns, you can’t return it anymore [sadly, because I also loved Romance]).

    Back to Denmark, though, EaP immediately became my signature fragrance. It’s hard to find, these days, because, apparently, it wasn’t a hit with Americans. You can order it from retailers like Nordstrom –it’s not sold in the stores– but I warn you, order it either during cooler weather or ship it overnight, because even moderate heat will destroy the fragrance.

    EaP suffers the same staying-power issue as other light fragrances, but my way around it is to spray it on my clothes as well as my skin. It really stays that way.

    Needless to say, I get tons of compliments on it and I continue to love it to this day. I hope they never stop making EaP.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

From NST at Twitter

  • "Puig Sales Surpass 3 Billion-Euro Mark in 2022" (wwd via aol) https://t.co/YXCCs6Ze2X https://t.co/KQLo8HwUNn, 11 hours ago
  • "More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel" (independent) https://t.co/GuTuGPOXDB, 11 hours ago
  • "3 Innovative Fragrance Brands Breaking Gender Boundaries" (l'officiel) https://t.co/dSsEsvmccn,
  • Springtime sunshine and a seasonal stench: Manito Park’s rare corpse flower is in stinky bloom"" (in spokane; the s… https://t.co/GX8gGrOu97,
  • "# PerfumeTok Is Ushering In A New Era Of The Signature Scent For Gen Z" (nylon) https://t.co/4VuX4nFtut,

Browse by...

Topic

Perfume talk New fragrances
Shopping Books :: News
Body products Home fragrance
Polls Another subject

Date

February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022

Prior months

Author

Robin Jessica
Angela Kevin
Erin Guest Author

Tag

Celebrity perfumes
Cheap thrills
Collector bottles
Perfumista tip series
Video
The complete tag index

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

15 April ~ swap meet

6 May ~ spring reading poll
20 May ~ splitmeet

Back to Top

Home
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy

Shop for Perfume Online
Perfume Shopping in New York
Perfume Shopping in London
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Links
Perfume Books
Fragrance Awards

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2023 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.