Orion Stang started his winemaking career at Booker Vineyards under the supervision of Eric Jenson. In 2011, Stang decided to take a leap of faith and quit Booker to start his own wine brand, Dilecta.
I first discovered Orion and his Dilecta label back in 2013. At the time, he’d just released his inaugural 2011 vintage and he sent me some bottles to taste… I remember thinking that his labels were kick-ass but questioning whether his wine would be any good.?.?. The night the bottles hit my doorstep, I remember trying the Tiller which was a Granache/Syrah blend and thinking HOLY HELL 🤩🤩🤩 this is his FIRST VINTAGE!?!? Since then, Katelyn and I have had the pleasure to visit him at his former tasting room in Downtown Paso and have fallen in love ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️ with everything he’s done with Dilecta…..
In the glass, this Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre blend has a HUGE black center with dark purple edges.
My first sniff is cinnamon-orange zest. After I give the wine a swirl and dive back in, I get notes of red raspberries and cola…
When I take my first drink, it is silky and smooth —-> A swish and a chew bring out blackberry and red currant notes that lead into a really nice mid-palate of coriander and tart cherry. There is a sort of cinnamon kick towards the end that steps aside and welcomes a looong blueberry finish….
As with all of the Dilecta wines, Match is ridiculously good! It is quite HUGE and still needs a good decanting, but you need this wine in your glass AND in your cellar TODAY!!!
Hit up the Dilecta website at the link below to order direct from the winery…….
2013 Dilecta “Match GSM” Paso Robles CA
Wines on the Range 