Gris Dior / Gris Montaigne
Christian Dior (2013)

Classic, cool & aloof "modern chypre". Gris Dior is unisex in a feminine way. It's a cashmere jumper, a lover's caress, the feeling of his kiss and arms lingering over you, the tepid warmth of the dying fire when outside is snowy and stormy weather. Makes one dream of all the most beautiful, pleasurable things in life.

Starts off very citrusy (bergamot) and stays fresh and uplifting for the most of the time. It's really a clean, out of the shower feeeling. Then a soft floral rose heart reveals still mixed with those fresh, citrusy notes. Hours later, you can smell a more stable base made of oakmoss, patchouli and some woods, I'd say a creamy cedarwood ; still, the bergamot lingers! 

Absolutely elegant, classic and refined. 
This is a fragrance that does not scream, that stays subdued but is there, and you have to lean over to inhale. It's posh but relaxed. It lives in a separate universe from all current fashions and trends, and it doesn't care if you like it or not. But it is at the same time also very much a people pleasing scent. Wear this with a little black dress and the realest jewelry you have to feel bitchy and beautiful. Wear it with torn jeans to feel the same.

A vibrant watery cold patchouli.
Opens with an explosion of earthy herbal green notes before the watery quality appears. Worth a sniff for patchouli lovers...same with ZARA X Jo Malone Fleur de Patchouli

I had a 10mL decant of this, and wore it very happily. It works especially well in the late fall/early winter. It is well blended--maybe a little too well, since I do not get a lot of distinct rose, patchouli, or anything else. It dries down to something a little similar to Bottega Veneta, but I think I prefer the BV in the opening. This is not as leathery. If another 10-15 mL fell into my arms, I'd be happy, but I don't need to go out and buy this in quantities of 100 or even 50mL.

This scent is greener in the opening and dries down a little more intense in Patchouli and rose; however, this is not your typical patchouli scent. It is lighter for patchouli and I find it lighter and sweeter for a chypre. If you have don't love patchouli but would like to dip your toe in it more this is a great scent for that. I also find if you are new to Chypre this is also a good scent to try out. This is catagorized as a chypre floral (similar to Magie Noire from Lancome). It's nothing like MN. I find it much fresher and cooler. I find it extremely complex and would classify it as a masterpiece. However, not really one I gravitate towards in my collection. I'm not really sure the reason for that. I think it's b/c it a little more floral than I like.

The rose-patchouli duo is in the foreground pretty much right form the start, with the rise being quite restrained in the bloom, and the patchouli being very soft. This is not at all a strong or harsh patchouli; it is soft, has a slightly sweet character, and Is much less intense that, for instance, the darker and edgier Patchouli 24 by Le Labo, for instance.

The drydown develops a love and bright jasmine, with a has a nice green undertone. Is is not leider you at all on me.

The base is drenched dubs wood - sandal, whiffs of guaïac and also some cedar, with a somewhat bland stems at a mossy note being present towards the end.

I get soft sillage, adequate projection and eight hours of longevity on my skin.

An agreeable spring creation that is rather thin and synthetic at times. 2.5/5