Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1787
august 2009 / the tasting panel / 73 Canine Ambassadors story and photos by Deborah Parker Wong Cats may be indispensable at a winery, but it's a dog's life for these eno-pooches Patience Plus: Ballou Named for the carefree bear in Rudyard Kipling's stories, Bal- lou, a Golden Labrador, waits patiently at the cellar door of Château Jean Faure for vintner Olivier Decelle. Decelle acquired the Saint-Emillion grand cru property, which neighbors Châ- teau Cheval-Blanc and Château Figeac, in 2004. The estate has since undergone a complete renovation, and vigneron-consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is guiding its renaissance. Small But Intense: Orage Camouflaged against the weathered limestone ter- race at Château Jean Faure is West Highland White Terrier Orage, whose name was in- spired by a dramatic thun- derstorm that heralded his arrival. His paws bear the tell- tale signs of the ferruginous (iron-based) sand that lends complexity to the Merlot- and Cabernet Franc–based wines of the sustainably- farmed estate. His petit size allows Orage to snooze peacefully under the tasting room table during lengthy tastings. Kingly Demeanor: Charlie Château Biac in Langoiran, 30 minutes south of Bordeaux, is home to Charlie, a Blenheim (chestnut and white) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and vintners Youmna and Tony Asseily. From Château Biac's dramatic perch, Charlie surveys one of the Right Bank's most picturesque views of the Graves pla- teau and the Garonne River as it twists and turns through the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux on its journey towards the Gironde estuary. The Asseilys purchased Château Biac in 2006 and have un- dertaken a complete renovation of the vineyards, original cellar and farm house. Under the direction of consultant Christine Sourdes, winemaker for the famed Sauternes first growth Château Guiraud, Charlie anticipates his first release in 2010. www.chateaubiac.com On the Lookout: Pomme Border Collie Pomme ("apple" in French) keeps a sharp eye on the comings and goings at Château Lamothe in the Haux commune of Premières Côtes de Bordeaux. Nestled among the rolling lime- stone clay slopes, Château Lamothe du Haux is owned by third-generation winegrowers Damien and Maria Chomard, who produce a supercharged white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle, a clairet-style rosé and several Caber- net Sauvignon–based cuvées. www.chateau-lamothe.com Bordeaux's