2020 Aurora - Cabernet Franc Batroun District (750ml)

Aurora Winery began in 2003 as a passion project of the Geara family, who had long grown grapes in the area to distill arak before turning their attention to wine. The estate takes its name from the nearby village of Aoura as well as the first light of dawn, and today the family run winery sits in the small mountain village of Rachkiddé in Batroun, North Lebanon, farming its vineyards using eco-friendly, dry farming methods.

The vines are planted on mountainous terraces at roughly eight hundred fifty meters, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by walnut trees, oak, and olive groves, in clay and limestone soils that give Batroun wines their characteristic freshness and higher acidity compared to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The grapes are hand harvested in early September with yields tightly controlled to preserve concentration, then fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel before the wine spends time aging in French oak.

The finished wine shows a brisk, slightly dark red color with a soft, fresh nose dominated by red fruit alongside hints of aged walnut, caramel, and mint. The body is discrete and silky, with a wide, balanced attack, a crisp mouthfeel, and an intense, enjoyable finish. It pairs naturally with red meat, offal, lamb, or aged cheese.