Annick Goutal Le Chevrefeuille : Fragrance Review

Green like unripe mirabelle plums, tart like lemon meringue and sheer like a silk scarf, Le Chèvrefeuille is one of those fragrances that makes me smile contentedly. It is the essence of everything serene and lighthearted, a fragrance that satisfies yearnings for those first mild days of spring. On the other hand, its lightness and the lack of sharpness associated with citrus makes it ideal for the warm days of summer. Among Annick Goutal single flower compositions (Néroli, Des Lys, Le Jasmin, Le Muguet and La Violette), which were created by perfumer Isabelle Doyen and Camille Goutal in 2002, Le Chèvrefeuille is undoubtedly my favourite, both for its effervescent personality and impressionistic rendition of honeysuckle. …

The deliciously lemony note of petitgrain (bitter orange tree leaves) accents the white floral accord of Le Chèvrefeuille. The green and sparkling impression slowly gains a warmer, sweeter quality. Yet, that refreshing feeling like a sip of lemonade never vanishes completely. Above all, Le Chèvrefeuille conjures a vision of burying one’s face into a mass of white petals, and that is a reason enough to like it.

Le Chèvrefeuille is not a particularly complex fragrance. There are no dramatic interplays and unexpected twists. Still, the more I sample blends based on the idea of a single flower, the more I appreciate the ability of this perfume to evoke the scent of honeysuckle. It does so without triteness or anything tired and predictable. It is perhaps not as realistic a honeysuckle note as in Marc Jacobs Blush or Michael Kors Island Hawaii, but then again Le Chèvrefeuille feels like a real blooming flower, rather than a glossy photograph thereof.

Le Chèvrefeuille is an understated fragrance, with decent tenacity, although I would recommend liberal application. Le Chèvrefeuille features notes of petitgrain, honeysuckle, lemon, jasmine, and narcissus. Although launched as a limited edition in 2002, Le Chèvrefeuille was subsequently reissued. It is available at Annick Goutal boutiques as well as retailers carrying the line such as Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

Photo of honeysuckle by Scoobymoo, from Pollen Nation blog.

Comments

[Tigs]

Oh, this one makes me so, so sad. It is exactly the sort of thing I would wear normally, and is probably my favourite AG on application, but the lasting power is really quite dreadful on me. As in: I cannot smell it as I exit the store 15 minutes later. Do they make an EdP? I only have experience with the EdT AGs. Still, I love the opening moments...

[BoisdeJasmin]

E, it lasts for a few hours on me, but I also apply about 4 large sprays all over. Try more liberal application. I used to complain until I started being less stingy with it.

[Barbara]

It is a pleasant surprise to see a review of Le Chevrefeuille here. I bought a bottle just the other day. It is a perfect spring perfume. What do you think of Le Jasmin?

[violetnoir]

This one smells so good layered with Vanille Exquise. But I must say that my favorite of the group is Des Lys, especially on a hot summer day. And the lasting power is very good, too.

Hugs!

[Madelyn E]

Dear Victoria,
So appropro that you reviewed this one. It is gorgeous - a honeysuckle fragrance that shouts Springtime.
I first noticed this AG on my friend Lea . during a visit to Montreal last Spring. It was light , but had enough depth to give it more interest.
I almost bought it ! My favorite AG is Passion (eau de Parfum).
However, when I spritzed this scent - I thought it was intoxicating.
Who knows what may happen at this weekend's Sniffa ..

[Tigs]

Madelyn: Passion's my other favourite, too. V, thanks for the tip. I will have to order some online, as the AGs are very expensive here and so I am too cheap to spray with abandon.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Barbara, Le Jasmin is beautiful too. An effervescent, gingery jasmine.

[Ina]

I'm in a Goutal stage right now, and I really hoped Le Chevrefeuille will be a pass but not any more! You got me, once again. ;)

[Marina]

Like Ina, I am suddenly nuts about Goutal :-), especially the soliflores. I can't express hwo much I adore Le Jasmin. Le Chevrefeuille is wonderful too, as are all of them really.

[BoisdeJasmin]

R, I have not tried it, but now I will. Sounds very interesting.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Madelyn, I cannot agree more. I also wear it often in the winter in order to remind myself of spring.

[BoisdeJasmin]

E, I have seen it on Ebay for a very reasonable price. I do not recall the seller, although I've purchased previously from andyfrog and was very pleased with the transaction.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Ina, the more I wear other florals, the more I appreciate the simplicity and delicacy of these.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Marina, Le Jasmin is another favourite. The only one I was not crazy about turned out to be Neroli. I enjoy the rest very much.

[Linda]

Dear Victoria,
How lovely! Even before I started being a fragrance fanatic (that is, before I discovered your beautiful reviews) I have loved Annick Goutal. I have five - Songes, Grand Amour, L'Heure Exquise, Gardenia Passion and Eau d'Hadrien. The dear little bottles look charmingly old fashioned all in a line. This is going to be my next purchase: and I'll wear it during April evenings.
Warmest wishes,

[BoisdeJasmin]

Linda, thank you! There are quite a few Annick Goutal fragrances that I like. There is a certain intimate quality to these blends. Gardenia Passion was the first AG fragrance I purchased, although I do not wear it anymore. Now, Songes is definitely my favourite.

[Elle]

*Love* this one. And am in such a mood for honeysuckle these days. While I anxiously watch the vine in my garden start to grow, this is a perfect transition scent. I really do feel that this has been an underappreciated line and I've got some recently for incredible prices online.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Elle, I agree. Whenever I searched for a true honeysuckle fragrance, I either found blends that smells not at all like the flower (Calypso's) or very stylized (Blush). AG's is my favourite one for its ability to capture the essence of the blooming vine.

[Emily]

It sounds wonderful, as do so many of your reviews, especially since I'm feeling the need to coax a reluctant spring into, well, springing. Unfortunately, I've been living far from any significant perfume retailer for much of the past year and my stock is running low. Do anyone have experience purchasing perfume online, from Perfume Emporium or the like? Have you been satisfied with the quality of the purchase? I've always heard that the perfumes one can buy from online sources or discounters are old stock or have "turned" and don't have as pleasing or true a scent. Is this really the case? Can anyone recommend a reliable vender?

[Misssuccess1]

Great review ))).
I love this fragrance for being so TIffany.
And yet I would not buy it 'cause its herbal base is somewhat disturbing to me...

[Tara]

I have bought AG from Perfumebay.com with great success, their stock has always been fresh.