Another wine from the Rutherford Ranch Winery stable, this wine pays homage to the family's Welsh roots. The Goddess Rhiannon is a gure of power and mystery in Celtic mythology, associated with magical birds and horses and contrasting qualities of change and steadfastness, apparently. Whatever the mythic origin of the name, the wine is certainly an unusual blend – Petite Syrah, Barbera and Zinfandel – not exactly a blend that is common place, but one that produces a delicious combination that is aged in French and American oak to add complexity. On the nose there is an explosion of cherry, plum, ripe raspberry and spicy vanilla and these fruit follow through to the palate. Here they mix with blackberry, boysenberry and hints of pepper and vanilla followed by soft tannins and a silky lingering finish.
