Sous le Vent

Sous Le Vent is a relic and a masterpiece. I have been debating whether or not I should purchase a bottle of the limited edition rerelease before it was discontinued. There were two things that I complained about - the price, which is extremely high, and the fact that it only comes in a splash bottle. After learning it's been discontinued, I really had no choice - I needed to get this, my favorite aromatic chypre of all time. Once the elegant ground glass stopper is removed from the almost arcane laboratory bottle, you are truly taken back in time. The fizzy aromatic opening is sublime! A strong citrus opening is laced with aromatic accents of lavender, sage, tarragon, and verbena in a distinctly French foody manner. It is really quite reminiscent of Paco Rabanne! Quickly, however, the opening subsides to a positively breathtaking jasmine, ylang ylang, and iris over a sweet and spicy moss base. The florals last for quite some time as the familiar chypre base unfurls slowly and stealthily. There are a lot of very high quality naturals used here. Guerlain has always assured me that the really expensive stuff is saved for the extraits and limited editions and the heart of this beautiful fragrance proves that. The drydown is the best part. Oakmoss (the real stuff!), civet, musk, and some other nice things blend to create the best modern version of a vintage chypre base I've ever smelled. This smells remarkably similar to the positively wonderful 1920s bottle of Crepe de Chine I opened. I suspect this contains essences likely not used in perfume anymore. The whole presentation is soapy, clean, and masculine with a devastatingly beautiful and tender heart. I love the true chypres - Mitsouko, Z14, Pour Monsieur, and Coty's offering are some of the best fragrances ever. This one, however, trumps them all for me. It's sunnier than Mitsouko, clearer than Z14, dirtier than Pour Monsieur, more modern than chypre, and far more luxurious than the lot of them. If you are curious, do yourself a favor and at least get a sample - this isn't going to be available for much longer.

The reviews of Sous le Vent written by Le_Coeur_Gothique (a short story -- poetic and inspiring) and lovingthealien (telling it like it is -- practical and descriptive) leave few things for anyone to say in addition about this fragrance. Thank you. I couldn't agree more with both of you. Sous le Vent is just so gosh darn glorious! It is a beautiful green aromatic floral that is most likely the finest of its kind. It is haunting, and while it opens sweet and fresh, there is depth to it that lingers the entire life of the fragrance on one's skin. The sparkling Bergamot greets you on first sniff. Then the Tarragon, Lavender and other herbal treats arrive. Astounding gorgeous Carnation, Iris and Jasmine play their floral symphony. Some discrete wood notes nicely come up at the end. Sous le Vent is somewhat nostalgic, but not a bit old-fashioned. I guess the best descriptor would be classic and timeless, but also remarkable. And of course, heart-achingly Beautiful. Thank you so much, dear Guerlain expert, Dominique, for introducing me to this heavenly fragrance! It is a Wonder of perfumery.

A classic, astringent chypre with an unconventional but unmistakable beauty. A traditionally Guerlain opening of citrus, bitter and anisic herbs, and aromatic lavender segues into a smooth floral heart of carnation and orris root. It rests atop a lovely Guerlinade (coumarin, vanillin, resins) drydown skewed more chypre with notable oakmoss. I love how this draws from three of the big "origin story" perfumes from the Guerlain stable--namely the meeting of citrus, herbs, and balsams in Jicky, the spicy aromatic floralcy of Apres l'Ondee, and the velvety chypre drydown of Mitsouko. It smells different than all of those--in particular verbena and galbanum really make the opening notes distinct--but the lineage is clear. The modern EDT reissue was lovely and a bit thin--more of a refreshing spritz for a humid, tropical vacation. A vintage parfum sample I have has such plush musks and animalic notes and a sparkly, sweet, clear lavender top. It's sublime!

Wonderful! Not only one of the best Guerlains I have tried, but one of my best fragrances overall. To me this fragrance is timeless and genderless and sensual. It does not feel powdery nor with 'old style' elements that would nail it as a 1930s fragrance. Also, it has neither a feminine nor masculine feel to it. But, the mastery blend (including civet?) makes it a sensual scent for me - unlike some modern 'fresh' fragrances. It blends well with the skin chemistry to create a 'second skin'. It works excellent in the hot climate here and is long lasting on me. Spray rather generously, and it will last.

This is the one after which I lust. It is not inexpensive,as noted above, but nor should it be. It is rare, and only those who understand it, who feel it, who are transtported by it to that place where the streets are dim, paved with brick/cobblestones, a slight mist is present; not so much in black and white, but more in shades of grey and violet blue...I must have it, before it disappears again...if it's not too late...