Today we are in San Michele Appiano along the Wine Road, where the Gothic castle of the Counts Khuen-Belasi has overlooked the estate’s vineyards since 1640. Baltasius is not just any wine but the selection that best embodies the estate’s philosophy: respect for a unique terroir where calcareous gravel and porphyry force the vines’ roots to dig deep into the soil. The name itself is a tribute to the family’s history, evoking the aura of prestige that only an estate with centuries of tradition can claim. The Riserva designation imposes extremely strict quality standards, requiring a prolonged aging period that allows the wine to find its perfect balance. It is a mention reserved only for the finest lots, those capable of standing the test of time and expressing the complexity of a region that has made precision its hallmark. The grapes are harvested and selected by hand between mid and late September, seeking that perfect ripeness that only older and well-exposed vines can guarantee. Fermentation occurs spontaneously thanks to the grapes’ natural yeasts, without intervention, in open wooden vats where the skins remain in contact with the must for three weeks. The aging process is then the key turning point: twelve months in new oak tonneaux followed by another six months in large casks, before the wine is bottled without filtration. This choice preserves the wine’s vitality and structure, allowing it to remain pure and proud. Deep and rich ruby red in the glass anticipates a bouquet of rare complexity. On the nose, small forest berries, cranberry and ripe cherry enriched by spicy notes and elegant toasted hints. On the palate Baltasius feels like a glove: soft, enveloping, with extremely fine natural tannins and a fruit sweetness that never tires. The finish is very long and intense, leaving a lingering memory of woodland and nobility. Its aging potential is also remarkable. It can rest in the cellar for ten or twelve years, evolving toward tertiary notes of leather and sweet tobacco that will delight patient enthusiasts.