“90 Points" 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: “This is essentially a mirror image of the 2004 Donedei Merlot. It brings the same dark, smoky, espresso-loaded scents and flavors, but it is sleeker, the acid more apparent (although actually a bit lower) and the tannins left to hang on the finish. This is a fine companion to the Merlot, but needs a juicy steak or rich sauce to cut the tannins.” – P.G.

“91 Points” 2004 Merlot: “Thick, chewy, dense and powerful. The blend is 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A very fine effort, it’s smooth and supple with alcohol listed (somewhat surprisingly) at 13.5%. Scents mix mocha, espresso, liquid smoke, iodine and black licorice; flavors also run to black and smoky. But there is fruit as well, deep black cherry and cassis, tightly packed and lingering.” – P.G.

Wine Enthusiast scores Donedei 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points and 2004 Merlot 91 Points

“90 Points" 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: “This is essentially a mirror image of the 2004 Donedei Merlot. It brings the same dark, smoky, espresso-loaded scents and flavors, but it is sleeker, the acid more apparent (although actually a bit lower) and the tannins left to hang on the finish. This is a fine companion to the Merlot, but needs a juicy steak or rich sauce to cut the tannins.” – P.G.

“91 Points” 2004 Merlot: “Thick, chewy, dense and powerful. The blend is 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A very fine effort, it’s smooth and supple with alcohol listed (somewhat surprisingly) at 13.5%. Scents mix mocha, espresso, liquid smoke, iodine and black licorice; flavors also run to black and smoky. But there is fruit as well, deep black cherry and cassis, tightly packed and lingering.” – P.G.

vinography.com ranks Donedei 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2004 Merlot at the top of Washington State.

Vineography: A Wine Blog, May 27, 2009

Alder Yarrow, founder and editor of vinography.com, recently posted his reviews of wines tasted at Taste Washington, the most comprehensive tasting event of a single region (Washington State) of its kind. Founded in 2004, “the site is now a respected source for non-mainstream wine writing, and one of the most influential wine blogs on the Internet…we do not and never will accept advertising from wineries, winegrowers, or wine production companies…”

Carolyn Lakewold christens the world's first hybrid tug, the "Carolyn Dorothy."

Carolyn was born in Spokane, Washington in 1962 and grew up in Olympia, Washington. She and husband Fred Goldberg live in Olympia today, four doors from Fred’s 95 year old mother. Carolyn’s early years were full of mischief, fun and athletic pursuits. She began playing fastpitch softball at the age of seven, while her mom, Dorothy, thought she was taking ballet!! Her skills at fastpitch earned her the opportunity to play ball at the college level before graduating from the Evergreen State College. She then worked in catering and as a live-in nanny while getting two master’s degrees from the University of Puget Sound.