Our take
What does Escale à Parati smell like?
The fourth stop in the Escale series, Escale à Parati reached Dior counters in 2012 after Portofino, Pondichéry and the Marquesas. François Demachy, then house perfumer, took his cue from Paraty on the Brazilian coast. He spoke of green, samba and the sea. The opening is crisp. Bitter orange, lemon and petitgrain meet a fizzy pink pepper. Mint keeps the heart fresh. Rosewood and a pinch of cinnamon add some warmth without weighing it down. The base comes down to soft tonka and pale woods. The Bois de Jasmin blog found it well made but too clean and a bit abstract, closer to a generic men's cologne than to a vivid green citrus. We agree with that verdict. Next to Escale à Portofino, the first of the series, Parati is greener and less sunny. It suggests a men's cologne more than a Brazilian carnival.
When to wear it
A summer eau de toilette for the office or days off. Easy to wear without thinking, though it fades fast.
It belongs to the Citrus, Aromatic family. Escale à Parati is one of 56 creations by Dior in our encyclopedia.
