Finally, the base is simply amazing--richness of florals tempered by silky wetness of cedar moss and bitter sweetness of honey. And, yes, the lasting power is excellent! This fragrance transports me to Venice every time I detect its hint of jasmine and honey on my skin. I am not sure why, but I think of crossing a small stone bridge to reach the apartment where I stayed, an ochre coloured building with intricate windows, beneath which the petunias sent forth their spicy pink flames, competing with the creamy scent of white gardenias. The early morning breeze would carry the scent of Adriatico, za'etti being baked in the pastry shop downstairs and the ringing of the church bells from the nearby Chiesa Dei Frari. Passing through the courtyard's dark arch, the mossy walls of which were perpetually wet and damp, one was invariably overwhelmed by the sunlight filling the tiny campo, its scents and noises mingling together to create a sensation unlike any other. As I sit by my window looking into the New Haven streets as they are being slowly covered with snow, I feel that I am indeed in my Venetian apartment ready to emerge into the warm sun and salty breeze of Adriatic.

Update #2: Thanks to dear and generous Robin (mreenymo) I have a good deal of Amoureuse to enjoy... First, the aldehydes are not at all overwhelming with light application. Very faint, in fact. (I think I did overkill by trying on all 3 PDRs at once!) Second, I could detect tangerine and cardamom notes quite clearly in the intial blast. The combination is still not the most pleasant to my nose and it takes a full 2 hours for this stage to disappear on my skin. Nevertheless, the wait is still worth it, and the first part of my review still stands from this stage on.