Coming 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.
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.
Ah, but does the Calabrian bergamot have pseudoinnocence?
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.
And of course it ain't worth smelling it it doesn't!
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.
We have many of the same favorites! I do like this bottle, let's hope the scent is worthy.
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.
“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…
See the update above…pfui on Dior in any case, since I'll probably never get to try it.
I'm bummed too…we've little enough interesting from Dior these days. Monaco probably next in line.
Wo-ho! The notes shout UNISEX! Hope I get the chance to try it.
It just appeared online at Harrods today, first I've seen it for sale.
I checked it out, and of course, seems like it's Harrod's policy is not to send perfumes overseas. Argh! Strike one!
Figures! Ah well, we know somebody in the US is going to get it.
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!
It is supposed to be at one store in the US, I just don't know which one. Would guess Bergdorf Goodman.
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!
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!
I was afraid you would say that about Bergdorf's. I read that nationwide (U.S.) distribution will be June 23.
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…
I saw the ad for this new fragrance at DFS Galleria here in Sydney, so it might also be available overseas in travel retail.
Wish I could figure out who has it in the US…or maybe it isn't here yet…
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!
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!
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.
Glad to hear another glowing report — I'll find it eventually!
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!
Sorry to say I've no such plans! But I'll find it.
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.
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.
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…
The review mentions limited distribution. Does that also mean limited edition? Should I hurry?
Duh…Debenhams is in the UK — never mind!
Siamesecat, so far as I know it is not limited edition, but of course I could be wrong.
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.
Thanks!
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.
How frustrating! I'm really surprised this hasn't yet shown up in “regular” retail in the US.
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!
LOL — that is hysterical! One store, and it's in Disney. Thanks!
And congrats on your purchase, of course
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.
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.
The reviews I've seen have been generally favorable, but I haven't smelled it yet.
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
It's meant to be citrusy. I still haven't tried it though.
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.
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.
thanks, it is nice of you to say that:)
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.
Sounds lovely!
Nordstrom on-line has this now. Hmm…I'm still wondering whether or not it's bottle worthy.
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…
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.
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.
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.
Yes, our Nordstrom has had it for awhile too…hope that means they’ll get the Pondichery soon.
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.
It does seem much more widely distributed now. Agree on the packaging, I think it’s an attractive bottle.
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 
It was hard to find when it first came out, but Macy’s and Nordstrom have it now.
ps… Escale means layover
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.