Escale à Portofino (2008)
by Christian Dior

I am currently in mourning for Nina Ricci's Signoricci. I recently discovered (thanks to Basenotes !) that they've decided as of this year to stop producing this citrus legend. Having tried Escale à Portofino on two or three occasions in airports, I have to say that it comes pretty close to Signoricci. Delicious citrus notes, perfect for summer.

12nd November, 2011.

Just perfect for hot summer as a special eau de Cologne , with a hint of gourmand almond.Unisex and subtle.

25th August, 2011.

Dior's Escale a Portofino, is in my opinion the essential Summer fragrance. Citrusy, pleasantly fresh and full of vitality, this fragrance has me thoroughly impressed.

This fragrance is similar in some instances to the classic 4711 Eau de Cologne, however Escale a Portofino is much more feminine and sparkling.

The spicyness is very subtle to my nose, barely there in fact. I get more citruses and woods than spice in Escale a Portofino.

The scent opens with Sicilian lemon, bergamot and petit grain, which makes for a very bright and energetic opening. Thankfully the lemon in this fragrance doesn't turn sour on the skin or remind me of dishwashing liquid.

This fragrance does indeed have a rather masculine quality, which is brought about by the juniper berries, cedarwood and caraway. In my opinion, Escale a Portofino is perfectly unisex.

Its simplicity is very appealing to me, however this fragrance doesn't last to well. About 2-3 hours was all I could manage to get out of Escale a Portofino which was a shame. Apart from the poor lasting power, Escale a Portofino would make a wonderful casual and refreshing scent for the warmer months.

26th June, 2011.

I just received this, and this is the picture I have in my mind when I smell it: A woman from the early 1950's wearing capri trousers and a tied up plaid blouse with a silk head scarf and matte red lipstick in a convertible traveling with the top down. In Italy. It is a breezy, polite, classy citrus with something creamy and sweet lurking just below the surface. Summer in a bottle.

14th May, 2011.

I tested this today...It was very nice but it smells exactly (to my nose) like some thing ive already smelled.

4th May, 2011.

I was a little disappointed in this: it smells just like a refined version of Nenuco agua de colonia (made in Spain, cologne marketed for babies), which is much cheaper. It's not that I don't care for it, however, I expect more from Dior.
I must be missing something - I catch none of the Rochas funk, and nothing of (gorgeous) Diorella.

8th December, 2010.