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CHILE The Grand Cru Wine Competition was judged by a panel of twelve wine industry professionals. Expanding the Scope of "Grand Cru" 1. Château Lafite Rothschild 2004 (92.8) Alex Guarachi, founder of TGIC Importers and a Chilean native himself, said, "This challenge was generated after a Wall Street Journal article hailed our vineyard as the Apalta Vineyard grand cru. We asked, 'Is it really? Will our wines stand up amongst the best in the world?'" The term "grand cru" typically conjures images of Bordeaux hills and lush Napa estates, yet this uppermost classification may soon extend to a completely different corner of the world: Chile. In the Grand Cru Wine Challenge, Montes proved that Chilean wines can indeed compete on the same level with some of the world's most esteemed wineries and châteaux. When the results were tallied, it was clear that Montes wines and Chile's Apalta Vineyard could indeed compete in the big wine leagues. The results of the first flight were ranked as follows, with composite scores in parentheses: 78 / the tasting panel / august 2012 2. Montes Alpha M 2004 (91.1) 3. Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2004 (90.8) 4. Montes Purple Angel 2007 (90.2) 5. Opus One 2004 (90.0) 6. Chateau Montelena 2004 (89.9) 7. Château Haut-Brion 2004 (89.8) 8. Sassacaia 2004 (88.1) Montes Alpha M was edged out of first place by Château Lafite by less than two points. In the Rhône flight, Montes Folly Syrah 2004 came in first, a hair above 2004 Penfolds Grange Bin 95. Bonaccorsi Syrah Star Lane Vineyard 2005 claimed third place, while Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite 2004 came in fourth. "These results prove that our wines are as good as or better than some of the best wines in the world," said Guarachi. "I think it's good to see the true quality of our wines because sometimes we get so caught up with big names. But if we can drink as good as Lafite, Grange or Opus One but at a lower price, we have found a better deal." Indeed Montes and the Apalta Vineyard, on this day, clearly earned the grand cru title. "A Man of Open Doors": Aurelio Montes Aurelio Montes is one of those special people who would succeed at anything he tried. Luckily, he chose to excel in winemaking. He is a handsome and dynamic man who radiates intel- ligence, confidence and charm. Born and raised in Chile, Aurelio Montes founded Viña Montes in 1988 with the help of Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand. What started as a small-production winery more than two decades ago has grown into a dominant presence in the wine world, with representation in more than 100 countries worldwide and production not only in Chile, but also in Argentina and Napa Valley. Montes is not only the founding