Winning sips hail from Napa Valley and Italy

It has been 2½ months since the Houston Chronicle’s tasting panel last got together, but I’ve still got a decent backlog of wines that will be receiving recommendations. Two featured today come from the same famous Napa Valley winery, one that seems particularly relevant for these trying times. Founded by Georges and Fernande de Latour in Rutherford, Calif., at the turn of the last century, Beaulieu Vineyards has thrived through two world wars, the killer flu of 1918, the Great Depression and Prohibition.

But Georges and Fernande, who came up with the name “Beaulieu” (“beautiful place” in French) after first laying eyes on the idyllic landscape around Rutherford, persevered through it all and, in fact, even profited hugely during the latter, increasing sales fourfold by cutting a deal with the Catholic Church to sell their juice as sacramental wine.

Then in 1940, despite the world being on the precipice of disaster and Georges having recently passed away, BV soldiered forth, releasing what remains the property’s flagship wine. Our top pick, from the 2016 vintage, marks the 80th anniversary of the inaugural 1936 BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

At $145, it’s hardly cheap, but a cab-centric BV sibling called Tapestry can be had for less than half that and checked an important box by way over-delivering for the price. Just the same, I also wanted to showcase a sub-$20 option — and the 2018 Brigaldara Soave from northeastern Italy happens to be a seasonally perfect “patio” wine.