Umani Ronchi Pelago 1996 3L

Umani Ronchi is one of Italy’s most respected wineries, located in the Marche region along the Adriatic coast. Founded in the 1950s, the estate has built a reputation for producing elegant and age-worthy wines that highlight both tradition and innovation. While best known for Verdicchio and Montepulciano-based wines, Umani Ronchi also crafts world-class Bordeaux-inspired blends, with Pelago being its most iconic. First released in 1994, Pelago quickly gained international recognition, winning the prestigious International Wine Challenge in London in 1997. The wine’s name, derived from the Italian word for "open sea," reflects the winery’s coastal influence and the balance of power and freshness in this unique blend.

The 1996 vintage was a remarkable year in central Italy, marked by a long, moderate growing season that allowed for slow, even ripening. Sourced from the hills of Conero, where limestone and clay soils provide excellent drainage, Pelago is a blend of Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 14 months, followed by extensive bottle ageing, ensuring a complex and refined evolution over time. Now, after nearly three decades, the wine has developed exceptional tertiary characteristics while retaining remarkable structure.

Appearance: Deep garnet with brick-orange hues at the rim, showing the wine’s maturity. The core remains dark and concentrated, with slow-moving, thick legs that highlight its richness and well-integrated alcohol.

Aroma: Highly evolved and complex, with dried black cherry, plum compote, and cassis leading the way. Notes of leather, cigar box, and balsamic reduction emerge, alongside hints of dried herbs, graphite, and forest floor. Subtle undertones of dark chocolate, espresso, and baking spices reflect its extended ageing.

Taste: Silky and layered, with softened tannins that still provide a firm backbone. The palate offers a mix of mature dark fruit, dried fig, and savoury elements like tobacco leaf, truffle, and umami-rich soy. A delicate minerality and fresh acidity give the wine a sense of vibrancy, preventing it from feeling overly aged. The oak has fully integrated, lending hints of cedar, vanilla, and spice.

Finish: Long and graceful, with lingering notes of dried fruit, leather, and earthy truffle. The tannins have mellowed beautifully, leaving a velvety texture and a touch of savoury salinity. The wine remains elegant and structured, making it an extraordinary example of aged Italian Bordeaux-style blends.

Food Pairing:
Braised beef short ribs with wild mushrooms, where the wine’s earthy complexity and softened tannins complement the richness and depth of the dish.
Aged Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano, as the wine’s savoury, nutty, and balsamic notes enhance the cheese’s umami character.