Christian Dior Gris Montaigne Perfume Review

First, winners of last week’s giveaway of a Tom Ford Shanghai Lily sample – Murai, Aubrey, Fearsmice, Tiara, wefadetogray and CC.  Click on the Drop Us a Note clear at the top or e-mail  me at patty at perfumeposse dawtcom (spooged to avoid spambots), and send me your address and remind me what you’ve won, and I’ll give you a quick confirm e-mail so you know it didn’t get lost, and then I’ll get it e-mailed out.

Hey, this fall is starting out great with fragrances.  Yeah, I know it’s not quite fall, but close enough for me to pretend, so hush!  I’m going to Pitti in Florence, Italy, next month, so I’m pretty darn cheery at this point just thinking about it.  Neela Vermeire Ashoka, Tom Ford Shanghai Lily are perfection. Now add Dior Gris Montaigne to that list as it becomes part of Collection Privee.

dior gris montaigne pink and greyNotes of bergamot, rose, patchouli, amber, cedarwood, sandalwood and oakmoss make up Dior Gris Montaigne.  Christian Dior loved pink and grey, the combination was his favorite, and it permeated his showroom, home, and his design, and Demachy wanted to interpret that color.  Dior Gris Montaigne feels very much like a grey-encased rose. I mean that in the best possible way.  

When I was in Sikkim in India, the place we were staying had this amazing view – everyone told me about it ahead of time, you have to see the pink Himalayas, it ie exquisite.  Got there, ran to the roof to look. and it was cloudy and rainy and cold. Stayed that way the whole time we were there, until the last day.  We woke up that morning and went up to the roof, and you could see a bit of white and pink. We sorta gasped as we realized that it was the Himalayas! Those clouds kept lifting, and the beautiful pink Himalayan mountains emerged slowly from the gray clouds above and dark gray mist below. This is the apex of our view, but it was spreading out on both sides, and it literally brought tears to my eyes because it really was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.  We snapped pictures and sat and stared for the 20 minutes we had with them.  This is just one small picture, and it starts my very strong yearning to go back  India felt like home from the minute I stepped into that clanging, noisy, sensory assaulting land, and nothing has changed that.

dior gris montaigne

Oh, yeah, Dior Gris Montaigne.  The pink rose shrouded in patchouli, amber and sandalwood.  It’s that sort of beautiful too, contrasts that aren’t sharp, they  just seem to go together. The patchouli and sandalwood isn’t too strong, but it’s got enough firepower to pull down the over sweetness you usually get with rose – for those of you that hate rose fragrances, you ought to try this one.  It starts out all rosy, but then I’d be hard pressed, if I didn’t know it was the main note, to think of this as a rose perfume.  Beautiful, elegant, it’s the Dior pink ball gown floomped in the corner after one too many glass of champagne, but you’re not quite ready to go home yet.

dior gris montaine

 

I’m a huge fan, and it’s now joined the Tom Ford Shanghai Lily on my August perfume rotation, and that reminds me I need to throw some Grand Bal and Le Labo Ylang  in there just so I don’t get tired of any of my favorite little beauties!  Christian Dior Gris Montaigne is available at Dior boutiques, and I’ll plug my favorite Dior person to order from, Massiel at Dior Boutique in Las Vegas – 702-734-1102. She’s awesome and will fix you right up if you want some.

Of course we have a giveaway!  We’ll do six winners from comments.  Of the Collection Privee, which are your favorites, or have you tried any yet?  Grand Bal, Gris Montaigne and Bois d’Argent are my absolute favorites out of all of them.  And Eau Noire too!  Okay, my top four.

  • Njlinda says:

    Patty, The Dior website is all out of the smaller bottle of Gris Montaigne, so I took your advice and called Massiel at Dior in Las Vegas. I’m so glad i did. She is wonderful! From now on she will be my go-to person for Dior. I had been feeling down (I’m battling cancer), and she cheered me right up! Ever since I used up the sample for Surrender to Chance, I have been so looking forward to getting a FB.
    Thanks!

  • Steve Tsotras says:

    Oud Ispahan. Not only does it smell great, but very good projection, long lasting

  • Amy says:

    After reading your review I have just ordered a decant. I have not tried any from this collection. It simply can’t arrive soon enough! I have a feeling this is the scent I’ve been waiting for!

  • Hi Patty, I believe that you enjoyed the sights Himalaya and lovely sunsets. I love to wear Christian Dior perfumes for women.

  • Gail Scott says:

    I own a big bottle of Cologne Blanche, sadly discontinued from the Privee collection. I’m fond of samples of Leather Oud, Ambre Nuit, and Mitzah, but haven’t made the leap to buying them. It would be fun to sample the new perfumes in the line!

  • Belle says:

    And just in time when I have an eye on it! I haven’t tried any of them yet actually. But I’d love to try Gris Montaigne, Oud Leather and Oud Ishapan! Eau Noire seems to be a big hit too… Ah, if only I had luck on these types of things! But thank you very much Patty! And congrats to the winners of the Shanghai Lily samples!

  • tammy says:

    I haven’t tried any of the Collection Privee yet; this one sounds like a winner to me, as I love roses and wear a fair amount of grey. Your picture of the pink Himalayas is breathtaking! The more you tell us about India, the more I want to go….enjoy your next adventure, and thanks for a chance to win!

  • Maren says:

    I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of the Collection Privee yet, and would really like to try Gris Montaigne now from your description. Thanks for the draw.

  • Eva S says:

    I haven’t tried any from the Collection Prive and I on’t think you can find them anywhere in Sweden. I would love to try Gris M., it sounds just my thing!

  • CC ... says:

    I haven’t tried any from this collection but I am sure I will get to it eventually. Have a marvelous trip! Thank you for the draw. 🙂

  • Maureen says:

    Have never tried any from this Collection Prive, but would love too. I would probably love Bois D’Argent, as I love iris fragrances.My favorite vintage Dior is Dioressence, with Miss Dior a close decond. Have a wonderful trip and Thanks for the draw.

  • Lotta says:

    Dindt try a single one.. love to thouhg, bouth Gris and eau noir seems great!
    Please enter me to the draw!

  • Amy says:

    I love New Look, but I don’t think I’ve tried the others. This sounds delicious.

  • Yulina says:

    I have tried Eau Noire. I Love it! Would love to try other from Dior!

  • Tatiana says:

    Ambre Nuit is my favorite and Eau Noire is my daughter’s, somehow, she ended up with both bottles. I need to rectify this situation.

  • poodle says:

    I haven’t tried any of these either. I’ve heard good things about them and I’ll try them someday I’m sure.

  • I haven’t tried any of the Collection Privee, so I’m definitely curious. I like roses, so Gris Montaigne sounds right up my alley.

  • Lynne Marie says:

    I love Eau Noire – that weird combination of caramelized sugar and Indian food is strangely addicting. I know I have a sample of Grand Bal around here somewhere but haven’t tried it yet. Gris Montaigne sounds intriguing – I thought I was a rose hater but I’m finding it as a note in a lot of perfumes I’ve come to love – TF’s Noir de Noir for example. Also not fond of patchouli, but OK with it as a background note grounded in other things. Your description of Gris Montaigne sounds like all the right ingredients in all the perfect measures leading to a whole far greater than the sum of the parts. I need a sample before I go off and blind buy…

  • smy says:

    I haven’t tried any of the Collection Privee,so I’d love to try this one!

  • solanace says:

    Haven’t tried any of these yet, gotta fix that! I remember Mitzah sounded right down my alley.

  • susan says:

    I’ve only tried one of the Collection Privee, which is Grand Bal, but it’s pretty darn fab! Love it.

  • Tiara says:

    The whole Collection Privee is on my list but haven’t gotten around to it. Soooo many things to try, too little time and an ever tightening budget. So excited to try the Tom Ford Shanghai Lily sample – thank you.

  • wefadetogray says:

    They all sound stunning to me. I dont think I could pick any, perhaps bois d’argent. Thanks for the give away!

  • Dina C. says:

    Vassar College’s school colors used to be pink and grey until the early 70s when they changed to maroon and grey. (They went coed in 1969.) I happen to love the combination of grey and light pink in clothing and wore this combo very often in college. I didn’t go to Vassar, by the way, but another New England school.

    Your photo of the Himalayan mountains was gorgeous. I understand why that brought tears to your eyes. The perfume must be really special if it makes you think of this. I haven’t tried any of these special Collection scents from Dior yet, and I’d love to be entered into the drawing. Thanks Patty!

  • Beth says:

    I haven’t tried any of this Collection yet, though I’ve been sampling like mad this summer. I suppose they need to be added to my wish list! No one carries them near me, so I’ll have to sample online or in Chicago this fall. Of course I’d be thrilled to win a sample too 🙂

    Have fun on your trip!

  • Mary K says:

    I haven’t tried anything in the Collection Privee yet, but from what I’ve read, I must do so!
    Please include me in the drawing!

  • Caroline says:

    Never tried any in the collection privee…spotted them once @ Bergdorfs in NYC but was overwhelmed by other perfume distractions at the time. Do adore my vintage Diorama (so much that it makes me not want to sample the newer iteration).
    And now I want to view those rose-tinged Himalayas!

  • Isabeau says:

    Hi Patty new here, I wish I could smell these they just sound great! Unfortunately I have not seen them in shops around here!
    I love reading your stories! Thank you.

    • Isabeau says:

      And totally forgotten…lots of fun at the Pitti in Florence, I have been there last year..and it just great! Unfortunately this year I can not make it
      🙁

  • Fernando says:

    Getting to smell the collection privée has been an essay in frustration. I hate to order without smelling, but the Dior boutique ib Boston doesn’t have them (worse, they explain condescendingly that there ain’t no such perfumes), and the online folks just say I should buy a bottle because it can be returned if I don’t like it! So, of the few my wife and I have tried the 1947 New Look is probably at the top. But much smelling is still needed before we can decide for sure…

  • Connie says:

    I’ve tried only a few of the Collection Prives- among them Mitzah, Oud Ispahan, Grand Bal, and Ambre Nuit. I am a big fan of Mitzah, still thinking about Oud Ispahan (I love its progression- but really isn’t it just a bit too cudgel-like?), liked Grand Bal but didn’t love it, and didn’t like Ambre Nuit. Gris Montaigne sounds fabulous.

  • Lizzy says:

    New baby on the house means my perfume buying budget has been seriously constricted–and like Spiker, I probably shouldn’t be trying spendy fragrances I may fall desperately in love with, but I cannot resist a lovely rose perfume–so I’ll toss my hat in the ring for Gris Montaigne!

  • Jackie b says:

    I am currently working my way through samples of these Diors, favourite so far is Bois D’Argent. I don’t have Gris Montagne but would love to try it.
    Am going to Florence on Friday, but because of work conference commitments could not wangle dates to coincide with Pitti…damn!
    Oh OK not too unhappy actually!!!

  • Irina says:

    I love Eau Noire and Mitzah and grey is my fav colour, I am keen to try this. Thanks for the draw

  • Sherri says:

    New Look 1947 is by far my favorite Dior! Although I don’t wear it often, Oud Ispahan is knock-out gorgeous, and I also love Leather Oud.

  • Bridget C says:

    I haven’t had the pleasure to try any of the collection yet. So, it would be great to win! Thanks for the draw!

  • Elia says:

    I’ve tried a couple, and was pleasantly surprised by Lily-la-Fouret, thought Mitzah good,
    and Bois d’Argent quite lovely,
    but by far my favourite and absolutely gorgeous is Ambre Nuit.

  • dinazad says:

    I’m a great fan of Eau Noire – a few years ago I was in Athens at a conference, and on the one evening we actually got out of the conference hotel, a friend and I decided we had to get at least close to the Acropolis. We found a path up and eventually got stuck halfway up the hill, in the dark, with the illuminated temple somewhere above us and the illuminated city below. The place smelled of dry vegetation, immortelle, lovers’ trysts, last year’s urinating spot and hay. Eau Noire to a “t”!
    Bois d’Argent I love as well – but without any particular memories to go with it….

  • Cristine says:

    I also haven’t tried any of the Dior Private Collection fragrances, but I’d like to! So, please enter me in the drawing and have a fantastic trip!

  • MM says:

    I have only tried two, Bois D’Argent and New Look. Bois D’Argent is truly lovely. Would love to try this new one. Have fun in Florence, it’s one of my favourite places!

  • Isabelle says:

    Last June I went to the Printemps in Paris on an iris quest (with a list of recs from the posse). The Dior SA was offering Gris Montaigne to be tested, but I only sniffed it on paper. When I told her what I was looking for, she had me try Bois d’Argent. Bam ! Instant love. The incense, the iris, the honey… I couldn’t get enough of it. I bought a full bottle on the spot, that’s how madly I love it. Later at home, I tried the samples she gave me, and I really like Grand Bal. Still, Bois d’Argent stays my favourite – actually I think it’s my favourite in my whole collection.

  • Spiker says:

    I haven’t tried any of the Collection Privee, and given current budgetary constraints, I probably shouldn’t, but please enter me in the draw anyway 🙂

  • Martha says:

    I’ve been a sampling fool this summer, but haven’t tried any of Collection Privee. Out of my sampling spree this summer, I have discovered Patou’s 1000, the edp. Wow! I really love it. Also, I’m infatuated with L’Artisan Saran Troublant. Yum. Please enter me in the draw. Thanks very much.

  • Jennifer says:

    Winning a Collection Privee is great! I love the scents coming from Dior! I have used several Dior scents but this I got to try right now.

  • Fatima says:

    I have not tried any Collection Privee. Soooo many perfumes, so little time….and money! I love rose perfumes and this one sounds beautiful.

  • StaceyW says:

    Of the ones I’ve gotten to try, Ambre Nuit and Mitzah are my current favorites. I’ve been working my way through several decants!

  • mridula says:

    Patty, please please please go see the sun rise over the Himalayas from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. I’ve never seen, or more importantly felt anything like it. It is not just over the Himalayas the sun rises, it is over the planet. And it is not just the sun that rises over us, but we who turn to it. Standing at Tiger HiIl, you will see the curve of the planet, feel its tilt and pull toward the sun. Now tot he question at hand: I love Oud Ispahan. It does tend to obliterate everything in its path. Mitzah is pretty lovely but not nearly as heady.

  • Kim B says:

    Favourites so far are New Look 1947 (still deciding if I want a full bottle with that one) and Mitzah, apparently discontinued ?
    would love to try the new Gris Montaigne

  • Kitty says:

    It sounds so lovely. I’m still enthralled with my summer fragrances (EL Bronze Goddess, etc,), but I’m thinking that the Collection Privee might be a great segue into fall. I have tried and loved New Look 1947. If there was a smaller bottle, I would definitely own a FB. Looking forward to trying some more of them, Gris Montaigne and Grand Gal especially.