Dan Trcka
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Followers (47)
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Following (5)
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Reviews (1015)
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Updated September 2013.
....Dear reader, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Daniel Trcka and much like yourself, I am a wine enthusiast.
My wine story
....I am inherently curious and have always had the need to figure out how things work – this drive has led me to become as I am today. It is always interesting how passions evolve before they become entities that engulf oneself and become him or herself. My passion began the day when I decided to make my own wine. Thinking that my creation must fare better than the cheapest 1.5L table wine I went ahead and surprisingly achieved it. Naturally, this then led to a simple question “what makes one wine better than another”? The somewhat complicated answer took me on a quest to learn about the complexity and the range of ‘tastes’ – first seeking the answer in a pursuit of knowledge (I highly recommend reading a 926 page book titled WINE by Andre Domine), and then finding it by training my sense of smell (54 scent Les-Nes-Du-Vin kit, also highly recommended) and learning how to listen to it. Subsequently, natural progression (for me) was to share my passion and the newly gained knowledge, and so I started reviewing wines on the WineAlign website, and Natalie MacLean’s site, but these not fully satisfying my need to express myself, I developed this webpage and launched it on July 19th, 2012.
My palate
....Let’s face it, I love red wines and even though I appreciate white wine, I really enjoy reds. My palate is quite varied, meaning that I enjoy all sorts of wines ranging from light bodied aromatic Pinot Noirs, fruity Barberas or tannic Nebbiolos to full-bodied green Carmeneres, refined Cabernets or jammy Malbecs or Shirazes. If I go by the numbers, then in the not-so-distant-past, Rioja’s Tempranillo followed by Piedmont’s Nebbiolo and Tuscan Sangiovese were the most common guests on my dinner table; though recently Ontarian wines (mainly whites) have become quite frequent and welcomed visitors. I enjoy wines that spent some time in oak, acquiring some toasty/woody notes that add to their complexity; prefer mid-aged (integrated) wines, but don’t shy away from youthful and fruitful ones; and I pay attention to the trueness of the grape. I hope that knowing this will help in deciding whether my palate matches yours.
Other than wine, what do I do
....I am fortunate to work in a prestigious research institute, on a fascinating, cutting edge project, for a professor who is one of the smartest men I know and with colleagues that are a friendly, knowledgeable bunch. We are trying to understand what makes stem cells – stem cells; specifically, we convert regular cells into stem cell like cells, using mice and mouse cells as our model. We then use these cells to generate mouse embryos, from which we isolate differentiated embryonic cells and induce them to undergo secondary, synchronized reprogramming into a stem cell like cells. We can study this secondary reprogramming and gain insights that bring us ever closer to personalized medicine in hope that one day we, the mankind, will be able to convert one’s cells into body’s deficient or damaged cells thus restoring health.
My contribution to scientific advancement
– MBNL proteins repress ES-cell-specific alternative splicing and reprogramming.
.. Nature June 13th, 2013.
– A late transition in somatic cell reprogramming requires regulators distinct from the pluripotency network.
.. Cell Stem Cell December 7th, 2012.
– Discoidin domain receptor-1 deficiency attenuates atherosclerotic calcification and smooth muscle cell-mediated mineralization.
.. American Journal of Pathology. November 5th, 2009.
– Collagen stimulates discoidin domain receptor 1 mediated migration of smooth muscle cells through Src.
.. Journal of Cardiovascular Pathology. January 19th, 2010.
– The in vitro real-time oscillation monitoring system identifies potential entrainment factors for circadian clocks.
.. BMC Mol Biol February 16th, 2006.
Contribution Acknowledgement
– Matrix-dependent adhesion of vascular and valvular endothelial cells in microfluidic channels.
.. Lab Chip August 7th, 2006.
– Transcriptional oscillation of canonical clock genes in mouse peripheral tissues.
.. BMC Mol Biol June 16th, 2004.
– Fez1 is layer-specifically expressed in the adult mouse neocortex.
.. European Journal of Neuroscience December 2nd, 2004.
Reviews
Studert Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2011, Prädikatswein, Gutsabfüllung
Mosel, Germany$19.95
The 2011 Studert-Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinet has light aromas of sulphur that quickly dissipate, after which sweet, yellow apple notes emerge. It is a medium bodied, sweet, fruity wine, with good acidity and a medium finish. Serve as an aperitif or after dinner palate refresher; drink on its own for the next 2 years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts - I can not be sure this was a bad bottle, for this price this wine deserves to be tasted again. Tasted during Riesling & Co. World Tour May/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2011, Qmp
Mosel, Germany$29.95
The Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinet 2011 has slightly volatile as well as yellow pear notes. It is a medium bodied, sweet, fruit forward wine, with checked acidity and a medium finish that is faintly sulfurous. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts - wine for this price should deliver much more. Tasted during Riesling & Co. World Tour May/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard 2008, Knights Valley
California, Usa$84.95
The 2008 Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard, a Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French Oak for 19 months, has concentrated aromas of black cherry, black currant and blackberry, toasted oak and vanilla. It is full bodied, integrated, with balanced acidity, refined tannins and a long, silky, sweet-vanillin-filled finish. Drink as a sipper; drink now and for the remainder of this decade. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended wine, though at a hefty price. Tasted April/13 at WineAlign Cru tasting.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)
Exultet Estates 'the Blessed' Chardonnay 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$40.00
The 2011 Exultet 'the Blessed' Chardonnay spent 12 months in French Oak barrels giving it concentrated aromas of buttery oak, coconut and buttery pear. It is a full-bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with good acidity and a long, smooth, buttery oak, finish. This wine will complement BBQ’d meats as well as will reward simply on its own. Rated 91-92 pts and recommended based on quality. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city/ in April/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
Caprili Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2008
Tuscany, Italy$80.75
The 2008 Caprili Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino has intense aromas of lees, cherry and faint barnyard on the nose and pomegranate, red currant, cherry, oak and faint vanilla on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with forward acidity, grippy tannins and a long finish (decant as this wine has quite a bit of sediment). Drink now – 2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Mar/14 http://grapeselections.com/benvenuto-brunello/
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)
Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2006, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$27.75
This medium bodied Shiraz has aromas of black currant, black cherry, blackberry and cedar. It is smooth, with refined tannins and medium finish. It has the potential to evolve in the next few years to a decade, but can be drunk now. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL. Tasted Dec/09.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Des Bernardins Muscat De Beaumes De Venise 2009, Ac, Vin Doux Naturel
Rhône, France$13.45
The 2009 Domaine Des Bernardins Muscat De Beaumes De Venise is a full bodied wine, with intense notes of honey, citrus, roses and other floral aromas. It is quite sweet, yet not syrupy and has a long and floral finish. Can be drunk now and should age well for another 5+ years. Drink-how: excellent desert wine. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts. Tasted Aug/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro, Spain (500ml)
Spain$16.95
The Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro, a fortified Moscatel, has intense aromas of honey, apricots, floral/linden notes, tea – Earl Gray perfume, citrus – all on the nose, and orange, honey and soapy minerality on the palate. It is a syrupy/thick bodied, sweet/fortified, integrated wine, with somewhat lacking acidity and a medium to long and sticky finish. Sip this one glass at a time; drink now or hold for 5-10 years and watch it evolve. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89/93+ pts – mouth feel of 89 pt wine (could be less syrupy and have higher acidity) whereas the nose is 93+ and unlike anything I have tried before – this wine is nicely priced and a must try – definitely recommended. Tasted May/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Anura Reserve Merlot 2005, Wo Coastal Region
South Africa$19.89
The 2005 Anura Reserve Merlot is a full bodied wine with nice aromas of integrated black currant, blackberry, toasted oak, smoke, coconut and vanilla. It is tannic (decant for longer than half hour), quite alcoholic and the finish is long and smooth, once it decants that is. It is definitely worth aging as it'll be at its best from 2015-2020 and can cellar for more than 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL (when decanted), gets 91 pts after deducting a point for being too alcoholic - a recommended buy even though there aren't that many left. Tasted Nov/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2005, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$24.95
The 2005 Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano is nicely aromatic, medium bodied, integrated wine. On the nose, yogurt, cherry, coconut and vanilla can be noted, whereas the palate displays yogurty strawberry. Tannins are dusty and subtle to refined, acidity is nice and food friendly and finish is long. The wine should be decanted for up to 2 hours and tasted throughout as it changes quite noticeably; upon opening, the wine has more of a French character with strawberry yogurt notes (bit bretty), whereas later it loses this characteristic and changes into more of a typical Tuscan. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted August/11.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V