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jeudi 17 février 2011

La Belle Hélène by Bertrand Duchaufour for Parfums MDCI: Osmanthus goes pear-shaped... and a prize draw





How are perfumes born?
Well, it can go like this. Claude Marchal, the genial owner of Parfums MDCI, decides it’s just about time to come up with a new product: it’s been two years since the last launches. Perhaps a white floral? A gardenia maybe? So he reaches out to Bertrand Duchaufour (who may well become The-Perfumer-who-ate-Niche in 2011, at the rate he’s going).
It turns out neither of them is wild about the gardenia idea, especially since Claude Marchal realizes he doesn’t actually like the smell of it. So Duchaufour goes through a few floral essences with him. One of them is a gorgeous weirdo that doesn’t even smell of flowers, but of apricot jam and leather. For Mr. M. it’s love at first sniff. Osmanthus it is, then. Perhaps not straight up, though? Well, Mr. D. has been fiddling around with a pear-iris accord he’s quite happy with. So is Mr. M. for that matter. Could the osmanthus be worked in instead of the iris? It could. Sold! One pear accord, to the gentleman with the white shock of hair.

 “La Belle Hélène” was the working title from the get-go. The inspiration wasn’t so much the face that launched a thousand ships as poires Belle Hélène, pears poached in syrup and served with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and crystallized violets. The recipe was invented by the legendary Ritz chef Auguste Escoffier – who also came up with peaches Melba and crêpes Suzette – and named after Offenbach’s 1864 scandalously sexy, adulterous romp of an operetta (with his bent for naming his fragrances after books and operas, Claude Marchal has decided to keep the working title).

Though there is always a profound logic to classic desserts, all that remains of Escoffier’s recipe are pears and violets, the latter conjured by the ionones in osmanthus. And ionones are what rise out of the top notes along with the ethereal, almost acetone-like tartness of the first bite of pear. There is almost as much to roll on the tongue here as there is to smell: the textures of the fruit and its flavours, from the silky skin to the heavy-bottomed juiciness of the flesh. Green at the outset with violet leaf; rosy when the juice drips into the floral heart notes; softening into the musky sweetness of warm pear.
The next fruit to roll out of the basket is a ripe apricot or rather the apricot-jam of osmanthus wedded to rose through their common damascones – there 1% osmanthus absolute in the formula deploying its orange, violet and burnt umber tones. A dab of orris butter intensifies its woody/powdery violet facet; the leather is picked up by a woody liquorice accord.
It is the liquorice wood which entices the beautiful Helen out of the fruity floral realm and tickles this amiable pastel with Duchaufour’s trademark sombre brushstrokes. The effect runs through the entire composition, from the slight anisic effects of the top notes to the burnt sweetness of the base (myrrh, vetiver, patchouli, oak moss and a touch of a roasted note create the accord). Sandalwood adds a touch of smoky milkiness.
But underneath the pear, osmanthus and liquorice flesh, La Belle Hélène has the backbone of a chypre. Granted, though tangerine stands in for bergamot, the canonical notes are all there: rose in the heart; patchouli, vetiver and oak moss in the base. And granted, being light on the moss and heavier on the musk, it’s much more of a neo-chypre than the intensely classic Enlèvement au Sérail in the same house. But it’s a chypre.

You might find La Belle Hélène uncharacteristically tender and delicate for its author, a direction hinted at in the powdered sugar and lokum of La Traversée du Bosphore, but though it is less extroverted that the latter, it is based on the same type of contrast between juicy fruit flesh and darker notes, a contrast found in osmanthus itself. And it’s got something of the same light-heartedness, a springtime sense of fun with just the right touch of wickedness…
I’ve been wafting La Belle Hélène’s discretely gourmand sillage for a solid week quite happily and now you’ll get a chance to bathe in it: Luckyscent and Parfums MDCI have teamed up to offer two full-sized, 60 ml bottles of it, one for residents of the USA (courtesy of Luckyscent), one for the rest of the world (offered by Claude Marchal)…

So drop a comment saying you’d like a chance to win a bottle of La Belle Hélène, and don’t forget to say in which country you live – you won’t be entered in the draw if you don’t.
I’ll announce the winner on Monday: names will be picked, as usual, by Mademoiselle Jicky.


Illustration: The Birth of Venus by Odilon Redon

208 commentaires:

  1. I'd love to be entered! This sounds perfectly delicious and I could never afford it otherwise. I'm in the UK. Thank you!

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  2. I definitely want in, but I already feel depressed as the chances of me actually winning the bottle are going to decrease soon (when everyone else reads this and decides they want one as well). :)
    So, let's see how lucky I get, I live in Croatia.

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  3. I'd love to be entered, it sounds beautiful. I'm in the US. Thanks for the chance!

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  4. Please enter me in the drawing. I live in the USA. Thank you.

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  5. Please enter me, I am from Slovenia! Thank you, Klara

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  6. Please enter me in the drawing. When I tried MDCI:s "Peche Cardinal" I really liked it and this one also seems to be delicious. Living in Sweden

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  7. This sounds gorgeous, many thanks for hosting the draw! Please enter me, I'd love to spend spring smelling of a Duchaufour pear chypre.
    I'm in the UK

    P.S. The name is just *fantastic*.

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  8. Caela, nbh, Klara, Parfumista, your name is in the hat!

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  9. Parfymerad, I agree about the name. Duchaufour always has great working titles and it's nice to see one make it to the final product.

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  10. Monsieur Douchafour has been busier than a bee in a pear orchard hasn't he ?
    This sounds very very lovely , please enter me in the draw !
    I am a resident of the U. S. and thank you to Luckyscent for their generosity .
    I promise to share...

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  11. Carol, the man is very busy indeed and the pace shows no sign of letting up, since he'll also be working for The Different Company... You're in.

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  12. I would so love to win! - it sounds like an amazing scent! - I tend to love anything with food scents
    I'm in England

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  13. Violetsrose, with your two namesake notes in it you should love it. You're in.

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  14. Oh, I love the recipe and the story of Belle Hélène, yes I knew about the creator of peachers Melba's at the Ritz. This is so beautiful. Thank you for this draw and also Claude Marchal, because I live in Spain and would so very much enter this draw!

    Thank you!

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  15. I'm breathless. This sounds so perfect! Just reading the title got my heart going, and it kept getting better and better. I think perhaps it was made for me. I love it when I find a perfume like that. I could list the reasons it sounds so perfect, but pretty much every sentence made me think so. Please enter me! I live in the USA once again.

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  16. Carla, you're in the US/Luckyscent draw. I hope the description will match your experience!

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  17. I love the smell of osmanthus absolute and this sounds interesting, please do enter me in the draw! I live in Finland.

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  18. I really enjoyed your story of the development of La Belle Helene. A fragrance that creates "a springtime sense of fun with just the right touch of wickedness..." sounds so very appealing.
    Please enter me into the draw from Canada. And thanks to you and Claude Marchal for this very generous draw.

    -- from Lindaloo

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  19. Sounds delicious! I live in the US and would love to be entered in the draw.

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  20. Mikael, osmanthus is also one of my favorite naturals and I'm not surprised Claude Marchal fell in love with it!

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  21. Lindaloo, we seldom get the chance to find out how things happen behind the scenes and as Claude Marchal was so delightfully candid about the process I thought it would be fun to tell the story... Real stories are always the best. You're in!

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  22. Wow. How enticing!
    I am in the US.

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  23. Oh, what a great draw! I adored Traversée du Bosphore and now I'm looking forward to trying this one!

    I would love to be entered, please! :)

    I'm from Spain.

    Thank you!

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  24. Oh please, I live in London and would love to be entered. Poire belle helene was one of the first desserts I ate at Paul... before it went downmarket.

    I can imagine Zuber wallpaper floating round my head from the memory.

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  25. WoW!!! Duchaufour for MDCI, it got my attention right away! Please enter my name in the draw please, I live in the US.

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  26. Please, Denise, enter me the draw- i love osmanthus
    thank you
    I live in Israel

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  27. I would like to be entered for the draw. I live in Ireland.

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  28. Hi Denise, I'd love to be in the draw for this. I love Bertrand Douchafour's creations immensely but so far can only get by with samples on my student budget. A bottle of this would be perfect-its my birthday next wednesday. Thanks. I live in the UK.

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  29. Mmmmmnnnn I love the dessert for which this is (partially) named, and love osmanthus and licorice notes (wearing Yohji Homme today - yum!). And being a neo-chypre just makes it sound all the more alluring. Please would you put my name in the hat for Mademoiselle Jicky to paw. Nicola (UK)

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  30. I have been steadfastly ignoring MDCI because I know I can't afford even the "refill" bottles. Even that little sample of Un Coeur en Mai has been languishing in my to-test box.

    But this one sounds perfectly delightful, and I'm sighing glissandos of pleasure just thinking about it. Please enter me in the draw, and many thanks. I'm in the US.

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  31. Bertrand Duchaufour seems to be very busy recently, have you heard about his other upcoming projects?
    Thank you for the draw, La Belle Helene sounds very delicious (not to be confused with uninspiring selective fruity-florals!).
    Regards, Ela from Poland.

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  32. Betrand Duchaufour is my main man. I can't wait to try this.

    I live in the U.S. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  33. First off - as usual, the artwork you chose for this post is so lovely. Secondly - does M. Duchaufour sleep? Prolific doesn't begin...

    I'd love to smell this. I've found the MDCI perfumes beautifully done and of such high quality, even if the fragrance isn't something I want to wear. Enlevement au Serail was one of my big finds of the last couple of years - sublime.

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  34. I really love osmanthus and I am a follower of Duchaufour work I love the latest Traverse du Bosphore, please enter my name in the draw and I live in the US. Thanks

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  35. Jen, Isa, Jason, d3 and the person from Ireland whose ideograms I can't read, all in the hat for the cat!

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  36. Nick/elfuego, tell me about it! And happy bday in advance!

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  37. An osmanthus and pear chypre? Must try! Please enter me in the draw - and - Thanks!
    I live in the U.S.

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  38. Nicola, miss Jicky will be apprised, and failing a win, remind me to make up a sample for you in March!

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  39. Muse, yup, costly stuff and so much of it tempting... Claude was kind enough to offer me a sample kit, and I'm eyeing a couple of things to add to my bottle of Enlèvement...

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  40. Ela, BD will be doing the perfumes for The Different Company from now on, and I know he's been working for a new brand of which I know little, and he's been working on the next scent for the jeweller Ann Gérard... And lots more, but without clearance from the brand owners it's not for me to tattle!

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  41. Suzy Q, you'll have noticed his stuff gets a lot of attention here too!

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  42. Amy, he must sleep sometimes, but he's certainly a busy man since he's gone freelance. So far it hasn't affected his creativity, I hope things stay that way.
    As you know I love Enlèvement too, and I'm starting to be very taken by Le Rivage des Syrtes by Patricia de Nicolaï, I'll be reviewing it when the storm of launches clears...

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  43. Your description sounds delightful and delicious! I'd love to be entered in the draw, I live in Austria.

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  44. This sounds scrumptious: please enter me in this draw!!! I live in England.

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  45. Oh my. You had me at Osmanthus, which is one of my favorite notes, especially in the spring. I am in the U.S.A.

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  46. Thank you for this wonderful offer!

    I love Enlevement Au Serail and Vepres Siciliennes (Oops- I hope I spelled it correctly!). And, Claude is such a lovely man, so I can't wait to try this new one.

    So, please enter me in the drawing, Denyse. I live in the USA.

    Hugs!

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  47. I'd love to be entered into the drawing. I am in the US. This fragrance sounds wonderful to me, but the review made me a little hungry.

    Thanks!

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  48. Laurinha, Alyssa, KathyT, you're in, and Violetnoir, yes, Claude M is utterly endearing!

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  49. I want to try just about any new perfume from Bertrand Duchaufour, and this one sounds wonderful. I live in the U.S.

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  50. Janice, a commendable attitude, but you'll have trouble keeping up this year... you're in!

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  51. sounds delicious--And I'm in the U.k.

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  52. I live in the USA, and I'd love a chance to win a bottle of this!

    Regards,
    dee

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  53. Margaret, DeeHowe, your applications will be submitted to Jicky.

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  54. I would (who wouldn't?) and I live in the United States.

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  55. I have Odilon Redon on my bedroom wall and several works by M. Duchafour in the bathroom why wouldn't I need more!
    Maureen in Devon, UK

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  56. MsAnon, you're in!
    Maureen, tsk tsk tsk, the bathroom is not the best place to keep them! You're in too...

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  57. I would love to be entered... the "delicate" description intrigues me, and Bertrand Duchaufour seems to always turn out interesting and amazing fragrances.

    I live in the US.

    Best,

    Geordan

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  58. I love the story and the name! Sounds lovely-- can I be in the draw, too? I'm in the US...

    Heidi

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  59. Holy Cow! Bertrand Duchaufour is all over the place! From Panhaligons to L'Artisan and now MDCI, and all his work is simply astounding, I'd love to win this one.
    I live in the US. Thank you.

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  60. My man is quite the fan of Invasion Barbare; I would love to try this tasty new scent! (I live in France at the moment.)

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  61. Roberto, the man's definitely covering a lot of ground and showing no sign of slowing down... You're in.

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  62. JAntoinette, this is an entirely different animal! You're in.

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  63. I live in Canada and I love Duchaufour.

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  64. Oh I love how this sounds! So delicious. Please enter me in the draw. I live in sweden.

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  65. This sounds beautiful. I would love to be entered in the drawing. I live in the USA. Thank you.

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  66. Ce commentaire a été supprimé par un administrateur du blog.

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  67. Your review is beautiful as always,thank you for the chance and I am in the UK
    katya

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  68. The successful melding of surprising and opposing elements creates a single olfactory image that is given life by the tension within. The new perfume by MDCI/Duchafour sounds both delightful and interesting and I would love to be entered in the draw. I am a resident of the USA.

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  69. Dear CarmenCanada I would like to be counted as an Australian rep! Many perfumes have not been "working" here very well recently due to heat and humidity. Roll on the cooler weather, and I would so look forward to trying an exquisitely made perfume which will sounds like will compliment some crisp Autumn weather.
    Emma

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  70. Krista, Sara, Dleep, Katya, your names are in the hat.

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  71. Starscent, I find that often this type of opposition is what structures Duchaufour's compositions. You're in.

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  72. Emma, my first Australian! I think ionones are pretty long-lasting in damp and hot weather... You're in.

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  73. This sounds wonderful and I adore osmanthus. I'm in the US..NJ to be exact.
    Christine L. (RHM on the blogs)

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  74. Wow! This sounds quite wonderful. Please enter me in the drawing, Denyse! I adore osmanthus.

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  75. Too delicious to resist given that sumptuous review - please include my name in the draw too. I'm in the UK.

    cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh

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  76. Well -- here is Martina from Germany calling ! I am a sucker for Pears - and Psmanthus, and Leather - so I would love to be "put into the hat" as well. Thank you !

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  77. Denyse -

    Every new detail about this one had me saying, "Ooh!", and thinking how very much it sounded like one for me - even though I don't do old-school 'sheep' very well. I'd be most grateful if you could please enter me in the draw; thanks so much!

    T

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  78. Jarvis, you're in. Osmanthus certainly has a lot of fans!

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  79. Hello!
    No need to enter me in the drawing- but I have a question. If BD is doing TDC perfumes now, what is Celine Ellena up to?
    -Marla

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  80. Martina, I've already put you down in the draw on the French side, if you love those notes I'm sure you'd enjoy La Belle Hélène.

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  81. Tommasina, this isn't "old-school" at all... You're in.

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  82. Marla, she's moved back to Grasse and is working as a consultant. Some people say she'll be working with her father but I have no confirmation from the concerned parties.

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  83. I am always caught by a beautiful name and this one is as lovely as the ingredients sound. Please include me in the draw! I'm in the US.

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  84. Please enter me in the draw - this sounds so interesting. I live in the UK.

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  85. Dear Denyse,
    Your description is so enticing! I would like to take a chance on the paw of Miss Jicky. I live in the US.
    Ariane

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  86. Please enter me into the draw. After Amaranthine and Traversee I'm madly in love with BD creations. Living in Romania

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  87. Would love to be considered in the draw, thank you! I live in the US>

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  88. Furriner, your name will be submitted to the furry creature in the house!

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  89. This sounds wonderful- Everything Bertrand Duchaufour has done recently has won me over- I would love to try this as well... Please enter me in the draw! I live in Canada!

    BTW, I love that painting!

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  90. RH, isn't that pastel gorgeous? I don't remember whether it's at the Musée d'Orsay, but the drawings room has beautiful Redons... so eerie. You're in.

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  91. I'd love to win a bottle of La Belle Hélène. Oh my oh my.
    I live in the USA.

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  92. Live in the USA :-)
    Please enter me.

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  93. Pear and osmanthus sound very pretty. I am a Canadian entrant to the contest...AnnieA

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  94. I live in the UK and as Promesse de l'Aube and, to a lesser degree, Un Coeur en Mai, Enlevement au Serail and Le Rivage des Syrtes are some of my favourites of all time, I would love to be entered in the draw. Thank you so much.

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  95. Hello, please enter me in the contest! I'm dying to try this perfume.. I love pear and osmanthus. I live in the US. Thanks, CC

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  96. London, those are my four favourites in the MDCI line-up (with this one). You're in!

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  97. Nancy, you're in, you're in, don't get your knickers in a bunch! ;-)

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  98. Oh, I love that painting. It's a feast for the eyes, but the scent it evokes in my mind is equally gorgeous. I hope I get a chance to smell it. (I live in the US.)

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  99. This sounds like my ideal perfume! Please enter me in the drawing! I am in the United States.
    ElizabethC

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  100. Please enter me - your description is so lovely. I live in the US. Thanks so much for your kind offer.
    Onyxode

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  101. Mellisu, it's all Luckyscent (except I get to write the names on paper, cut it up and disperse the strips on the floor hoping the cat will bat at one).

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  102. I'd love to be entered, and thank you for the great review. I live in the US.

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  103. Hello, your writing is just so inspiring. This sounds wonderful, I'd love to be entered in the draw. I live in London.
    Johanna

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  104. I'd love a chance to win a bottle of La Belle Hélène, thank you for the draw! I live in the US.

    I am definitely a fangirl when it comes to M.Duchaufour, and fast becoming one of M.Marchal and MDCI. I recently purchased a sample set (pricey, but also a deal!) and was thoroughly charmed by Claude in emails. Now that the samples have arrived, I've fallen for several of them already :) So glad to be sampling this line at last, and would love to include this latest creation!

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  105. Oh, please enter me in!
    I absolutely love both osmanthus and pear, and the way you described the fragrance is just gorgeous!

    I live in the United States.

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  106. Apricot jam, pear, and leather? Mmmmmm. I'd love a chance to win a bottle of La Belle Hélène. Please enter me in the draw, and I live in the U. S.
    Thank you.

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  107. Dammann Freres makes a Belle Helene tea that I absolutely adore. Please put my name in the drawing. I'm in the USA.

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  108. This sounds delicious! I'd love to be in the draw, and I live in the US. Thanks!

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  109. A tender pear dessert with an edge simply sounds delectable. Please enter me in the draw.

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  110. oh my I forgot to say I live in the US please pardon my error.

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  111. Sounds lovely - I'd love to be entered in the draw. I'm in the U.S.

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  112. I'm in the US and delighted to learn how Duchaufour and MDCI have gotten together - truly a match made in perfume heaven. Wish I could send Jicky a hyraceum-scented name slip! Thanks for organizing this, Denyse. ~~nozknoz

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  113. This sounds so perfect for a soon-to-happen (maybe?) transition to warmer weather. I'm in the US.
    Thanks, Melissa

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  114. This sounds fascinating -- MDCI certainly puts out some great (if pricey!) scents. I would love to be entered in the drawing (I live in the U.S. of A.), and thank you.

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  115. I've never tried...osmanthus, or MDCI, and am doing my best to imagine this as best I can. Pear-shaped osmanthus! How delicious! Thank you!
    So I'd love to try this - and hope I get the opportunity! I live in Denmark.

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  116. Of course I would love a chance to win this one, despite a fear of pears.... Duchaufour, though, I trust.

    I live in the US.

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  117. Can't respond individually to everyone who left comments while I was sleeping, but to all of you: in, in, in, etc!

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  118. I'd love to be entered, and I live in the U.S. I've just tried Osmanthe Yunnan, and decided that though I'm not one for florals, osmanthus intrigues me.

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  119. How exciting -the perfume and the writing. I live in New Zealand and would love to be in the draw - many thanks.

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  120. Needless to say, I'll love to have a chance to win. I live in Italy.
    I tested only two fragrances from the house: invasion barbare and enlevement au serail... Both are quite wonderful great perfumes.
    Real perfumes, not those wimpy little accords that are called perfumes in most niche offerings....
    Osmanths must be a beautiful raw material.

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  121. Zazie, yes, definitely Claude Marchal's tastes draw him towards, I wouldn't say classic scents, but substantial ones. Enlèvement is a favourite too when I'm in the mood for a non-vintage old-style chypre...

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  122. Oooh, please enter me in the draw! I'm in the UK.

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  123. I would love to win a bottle of this; it sounds amazing! I live in the US. Thanks to everyone involved in the draw.

    Jirish

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  124. This sounds beautiful! Please enter me in the draw. I'm in the US.

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  125. I liked Duchaufour work since I started this hobby. From his early work with L'Artisan, Comme des Garcons, Amouage, Eau d'Italie and now with Penhaligon, again with L'Artisan and now going with MDCI...Wow! But his work is getting better with time. Thanks for giving us this chance to try this new one. I live in the US.

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  126. So interesting to hear the genesis of an idea. I adore the idea of BD composing accords without necessarily having a project in mind for them. If I am in time, I would love to be in the draw!

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  128. I would love to be entered in the drawing. I am a big fan of Parfums MDCI and their customer service is wonderful!!!

    Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity.

    Tara - I am in the US

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  129. Vanille, Jirish, Amy K, you're all in the draw...

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  130. Alexander, not sure as to whether he'd developed the idea for someone else or if it was really something he'd had in the back of his mind. I can easily imagine a perfumer working on something, glimpsing a form he could exploit later and developing it on the side for further use. When you get clients who don't come in with a set brief, it clearly comes in useful.

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  131. Tara, I agree about the customer service at MDCI, Claude Marchal is really an adorable fellow.

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  132. I would love to be entered, too! I love Bertrand Duchafours work and this one sounds great. I live in Germany. Thank you!

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  133. Oh, why didn't it post my name? The last post was mine...

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  134. Thank you for the beautiful review, sounds like a must-try. I love Offenbach's saucy operettas, and would be delighted to be entered in this draw. Greetings from freezing cold Denmark

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  135. Asali, Paris is an icebox too, pulled out the furs again! You're in.

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  136. BTW more burnt notes (adore the "toast" in Jeux de Peau), very exciting :-)

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  137. I'd love to be entered into the drawing! I live in the US.

    I love Mr. Duchaufour's work, and have loved two MDCI perfumes so far--Un Coeur en Mai and Promesse de l'Aube. Haven't had the heart to spring for more than samples of those beauties. Thanks for the review, and for hosting the drawings. Be well.

    --from HemlockSillage (who cannot figure out the other way to post this :D)

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  138. It sounds absolutely wonderful! Please enter me. I live in the US. Thanks so much!

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  139. wow! this sounds utterly delish! yes, please, enter me in the drawing. sounds like something i would love.

    cheers,
    minette

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  140. Is there room for one more Canadian in the draw?

    Gwen at perfumeniche.com

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  141. HemlockSillage, Carol, Gwen (Hi!), Minette, all in!

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  142. Osmanthus? Parfums MDCI? Bertrand Duchaufour? This sounds awesome.I'll be ordering a sample of this for sure (if I'm not the lucky winner...).
    Thanks for the review ;)
    (In the US.)
    Gail

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  143. I would love the chance to win a bottle of this! I live in Norway.

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  144. Oh, I'd love to be entered as well!
    Crossing fingers - in snowy Norway :)

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  145. I'm a huge fan of Monsieur Duchaufour and I'd love to entered in this draw please. I'm in Sweden.

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  146. I'd love a bottle. I live in Canada. Thank you.

    Dagney

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  147. I would love a chance to win! Please enter me. I live in the UK.

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  148. Oh my... that is quite alot of but I'll give it a shot.. anything with violet, osmanthus and deemed exquisite by you is a go in my book!

    I'm in Taiwan =)

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  149. It always seems so greedy to enter for the chance of winning. But I would love to be included in the draw. I live in the Netherlands.
    The only 2 of MDCI I have sniffed are Péché Cardinal, (which, Philistine that I am, liked), and Invasion Barbare. I own a small decant of that. It is gorgeous.

    Barbara

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  150. I would love to be entered... This sounds like my dream perfume. I'm in the US!

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  151. I am a huge fan of the mdci house: in coeur en mai is easily in my top 5 perfumes. I'd love to win and I'm in the us.

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  152. Hello from scent free (ugh) Eastern Canada. Thank you for the review, and will you kindly enter me in the draw? I have 2 osmanthus faves: Fantasie des Fleurs, and Nuits de Cellophane. This sound right up my alley.

    Sincerely,
    Carole

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  153. This sounds exquisite! I don't know if I am too late for the drawing, but if not, would you please enter me?

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  154. This sounds perfect! I also would love to try the desert :-) I am in the USA.

    Thanks!

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  155. I'd like a chance to win a bottle of La Belle Hélène, and I live in the USA.

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  156. I really love reading your blog and special thanks for posting in 2 languages: when my poor rusty French is failing me there is always help in English! I live in the UK.

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  157. minette here with a country update: i live in the states. i think you probably already knew that, but i just saw your note to enter the country. so: USA pour moi!

    cheers,
    minette

    re: the valerian - i just let george sniff the rim of the bottle - it seems to be enough to send him. :) would never want to hurt my baby. and thanks for letting me know he sells the african stone. will go check it out.

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  158. Sounds Good !
    I love this dessert by the way... it's quite easy to make.
    I live in France, and I am totaly addict to perfume
    I want to be in !!!

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  159. Thanks for hosting this giveway, I would love to be entered into the draw. I live in the UK.

    I've been put off by Parfums MDCI in the past because of the price, but my interest has increased lately thanks to the recent posts on Katie Puckrik Smells. Seriously considering the surprisingly reasonabe sample set.

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  160. To all of you who dropped comments over the past 24 hours, your name has been added to the list.

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  161. Am I too late?
    I'd love to be entered!
    With greetings from Sweden.

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  162. Thanks to all parties involved for this opportunity. So far I've only read about Parfums MDCI, never had the chance to smell their creations.
    I'm in Hungary.

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  163. I'd love to be entered (and it's not Monday yet)! A gourmand that is also a neo-chypre sounds intriguing. How discreet is the sillage compared to, say, the new Hermes creations? I think I'll have to put this on my must-sample list. Oh, and I'm over in Saudi Arabia. Love your blog!

    -Alastair

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  164. My wife and I are both fans of MDCI. When we bought a sample set, we received a personal note from Claude Marchal. You just dont see that level of customer service with any of the other frag companies. The fragrances are all of great quality and have excellent sillage. We're running low on peche cardinal which we both wear. Maybe we could get a sample of this one if we buy a bottle of PC from his site or lucky scent.

    Please enter us in the draw. We live in the US. This sounds like a chypre that we both could share.

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  165. Absolutely enter me in this most generous draw. I live in the US.

    It does sound exquisite!

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  166. Alastair, which new Hermes are you referring to? The sillage of La Belle Hélène is pretty good though not overwhelming: there's enough musk for that. And ionones are pretty diffusive, though there is sometimes a kind of "nose blindness" that sets in after a while.

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  167. Sean Morey, clearly there's all-round praise for the customer service at MDCI and this reflects Claude Marchal's warm, enthusiastic personality!

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  168. Oh, Jicky...it's Carter...I have ice cream...

    Yes, of course I want in! I am in the US, but am planning to be in Paris when you are teaching in London, the better to break in to get me mitts on the Iris Gris. Jicky, The Attack Cat and I will be on very good terms following our little ice cream social. Remind me...was that butter pecan or butter brickle?

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  169. Carter, hon, not even close! But if you can find *anything* in the cluttered warehouse that is my home, you're welcome to it. About Paris, email me, in case there's still some way our paths can cross... And you're in.

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  170. Sounds divine! Please enter me. Good luck to all you others hope I win !

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  171. Sounds divine! Please enter me. Good luck to all you others hope I win ! I live in the UK sorry left this detail out of my previous post

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  172. I live in Canada, and of course I'd love to win this (me and everyone else)!

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  173. I have been enjoying an osmanthus tea lately, and wondered whether any perfumes had an osmanthus note. There is something a little smokey about it-- I would love to try this perfume! please enter me in the drfaw, and thanks! Mary

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  174. I live in the U.S. and would love to try this!

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  175. i love Duchaufour's fragrances and have heard that the MDCI line is very high quality. I would love to win this! And I live in the US.

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  176. Love your descriptions, please enter me in. i am in the US.

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  177. Please enter me, too! I live in the US! What a thrill it would be to win!

    I was just reading Katy Pukrick's review of Peche Cardinal, which compared it to the original Chloe. That was one of my daughter's first perfumes, so it has a special spot in my heart. I will have to tell her to try that one. This one sounds like it's more MY style!!

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