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Talk to me about Guerlain's Sous le Vent

post #1 of 16
2/18/10 at 2:27am
Thread Starter 
I've read the directory reviews for Sous le Vent with much interest.

I have just come to possess an unmarked Guerlain flacon which I suspect may contain this scent, but as I have never smelled it (either vintage or re-issue) I really cant determine whether it is what I suspect it may be.

Can I please hear from those whom have tried SLV - tell me a little about what you smell.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 16
2/18/10 at 6:18am
SLV is a classic chypre with the bergamot, labdanum, oakmoss structure. The top is very bright and citrussy, although if you have a vintage bottle, the top note may be faded (my experience with other vintage frags). The drydown is Guerlinade with moss, sweet resins and some vanilla/tonka, somewhat like Mitsouko but sweeter to my nose. It also reminds me of a less green, more high quality version of O de Lancome.
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post #3 of 16
2/18/10 at 6:53am
Thread Starter 
Thank you Asha... your description sounds pretty much on par with what Im smelling.

If the topnotes have faded a little, then this will explain the lack of sharp citruses here. I get a very lovely almost soapy green vibe though, and some fragrant lavender with a bit of a prickle (carnation?). It tapers off to reveal a gorgeous oakmoss and baked pastry base. Does that sound about right?
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post #4 of 16
2/18/10 at 7:36am
Sous les Vent reminds me of May Wine. Fermented grapes with a hint of cinnamon. There is a sharp green quality as in a good chypre.
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post #5 of 16
2/18/10 at 7:40am
WOW! Soapy sharp green describes it to me. Maybe with some dry woody notes. I adore this one, probably one of the world's most beautiful greens in my humble opinion. Love love love!!

And how amazing was Josephine Baker, the inspiration for Sous le Vent

http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/20...fragrance.html

You lucky boy!
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post #6 of 16
2/18/10 at 9:07am
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Very lucky fellow!

I've never smelt the vintage but enjoy the reissue.
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post #7 of 16
2/18/10 at 9:30am
OMG, I would kill to smell vintage Sous le Vent. But actually I remember reading somewhere that the 'new' juice is pretty good stuff.

I just bought a large decant of this, as I was seriously obsessing about a full bottle and I needed something to curb my cravings.

Dimitri - can I borrow the magic wand that you carry around, whereby you are able to find all of these vintage Guerlains? Pretty please!?
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post #8 of 16
2/18/10 at 10:40am
Dmitri, when I read your suggestion of 'carnation' I knew this HAD to be Sous Le Vent! There is indeed a gorgeous clove/carnation note that burns through hard on the heels of the hesperidic opening.

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous scent! A green (possibly) beyond compare. You lucky devil!
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post #9 of 16
2/18/10 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the responses everyone.

I do feel I have found a bit of a gem here! Tomorrow I will send a sample to none other than our very own Monsieur Guerlain for clarification. With us both living in Denmark, I may have a definitive answer as soon as Saturday, otherwise, on Monday.

Mike, I guess I just got lucky this time! I found an unmarked Guerlain "propellor" bottle being sold on ebay with "Buy It Now", and pounced on it. The seller did not mention the name of the scent in the advertisement, and seeing as it was without box or labels, I assumed it was my favourite: Vol de Nuit. Imagine my surprise when on Monday, it arrived with this 'mystery' juice inside.
The only other perfume bottled in the propellor bottle around the 1950s / 60s was Sous le Vent. I would be delighted if it is indeed SLV. The drydown on this one is simply delicious!
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post #10 of 16
2/18/10 at 3:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soirdelune View Post

Dmitri, when I read your suggestion of 'carnation' I knew this HAD to be Sous Le Vent! There is indeed a gorgeous clove/carnation note that burns through hard on the heels of the hesperidic opening...

I did not know that - probably why I love it so much. I love clove/carnation notes in general.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimitri View Post

...Mike, I guess I just got lucky this time! I found an unmarked Guerlain "propellor" bottle being sold on ebay with "Buy It Now", and pounced on it. The seller did not mention the name of the scent in the advertisement, and seeing as it was without box or labels, I assumed it was my favourite: Vol de Nuit. Imagine my surprise when on Monday, it arrived with this 'mystery' juice inside.
The only other perfume bottled in the propellor bottle around the 1950s / 60s was Sous le Vent. I would be delighted if it is indeed SLV. The drydown on this one is simply delicious!

Good for you Dimitri. I know what you mean about the drydown. It's one of those fragrances that if I apply it in the morning, and then put on a different scent that afternoon, I still smell the Sous le Vent at the end of the night. Happens all of the time.

In addition, it's not a sad Guerlain - like Philtre d'Amour it's just happy, happy, happy. Even though it features Guerlinade it seems to put a bright spin on that. It makes me smile when I wear it.
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post #11 of 16
2/18/10 at 5:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3xasif View Post

WOW! Soapy sharp green describes it to me. Maybe with some dry woody notes. I adore this one, probably one of the world's most beautiful greens in my humble opinion. Love love love!!

And how amazing was Josephine Baker, the inspiration for Sous le Vent

http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/20...fragrance.html

You lucky boy!

Oh, my! Sous le Vent is a wonderful scent and a wonderful BNer shared some with me and I vow to track some down one day.

BTW, Josephine Baker epitomised sex appeal in her day and was a real freedom fighter during World War II in the Resistance movement...
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post #12 of 16
2/18/10 at 5:38pm
Dmitri, have you posted your full review anywhere? I just tried htis a month ago. My review is here on the site, and unfortunately was not very favorable. Actually, this is one of my most unappreciated Guerlain fragrances and I'd advise anyone who was considering a blind buy to think twice.

My sample would have been recent (i.e, not a vintage). I was comparing it to 4 other Guerlain chypres, and comparatively this does not cut the mustard (but it does cut the cheese, so certain chemistries beware)
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post #13 of 16
2/18/10 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

OMG, I would kill to smell vintage Sous le Vent. But actually I remember reading somewhere that the 'new' juice is pretty good stuff.

I just bought a large decant of this, as I was seriously obsessing about a full bottle and I needed something to curb my cravings.

Dimitri - can I borrow the magic wand that you carry around, whereby you are able to find all of these vintage Guerlains? Pretty please!?

I knew you would be excited by this Mike! Imagine! Wow. Maybe Dimitri can send us some of his magic perfume mojo

Quote:
Originally Posted by soirdelune View Post

Dmitri, when I read your suggestion of 'carnation' I knew this HAD to be Sous Le Vent! There is indeed a gorgeous clove/carnation note that burns through hard on the heels of the hesperidic opening.

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous scent! A green (possibly) beyond compare. You lucky devil!

My partner in "Green"! I totally agree with your description. Sigh.
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post #14 of 16
2/19/10 at 1:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BayKAT View Post

Dmitri, have you posted your full review anywhere? I just tried htis a month ago. My review is here on the site, and unfortunately was not very favorable. Actually, this is one of my most unappreciated Guerlain fragrances and I'd advise anyone who was considering a blind buy to think twice.

My sample would have been recent (i.e, not a vintage). I was comparing it to 4 other Guerlain chypres, and comparatively this does not cut the mustard (but it does cut the cheese, so certain chemistries beware)

Hi BayKat,

No, as Im still determining whether this is in fact SLV I haven't reviewed it per se. I will be sent a vial of the modern reformulation to compare back to back before I can confirm if this is in fact the perfume in question. Then I'll review it on my blog.
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post #15 of 16
11/17/11 at 5:55am
Hey Folks, I just had to add my 2 cents. Sous Le Vent has become one of my most favorite fragrances of all time. I tried it first at my local Saks, and they decanted a good size tester for me to take home. It is long lasting, great sillage, and the oak moss comes through for me. Green, a wonderful spiciness to it, hints at a Derby quality. I had to have more. The 125 ml bottle is pricey at $315, but I just ordered a 500 ml white bee bottle from the Guerlain Boutique at The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Jorganne, Chuck, Claire are all wonderful to work with. Free shipping and no tax......
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post #16 of 16
11/24/12 at 7:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillBell View Post

Hey Folks, I just had to add my 2 cents. Sous Le Vent has become one of my most favorite fragrances of all time. I tried it first at my local Saks, and they decanted a good size tester for me to take home. It is long lasting, great sillage, and the oak moss comes through for me. Green, a wonderful spiciness to it, hints at a Derby quality. I had to have more. The 125 ml bottle is pricey at $315, but I just ordered a 500 ml white bee bottle from the Guerlain Boutique at The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Jorganne, Chuck, Claire are all wonderful to work with. Free shipping and no tax......

Not bad. I will have to give them a call since i'm almost out of my precious Sous Le Vent.
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