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
Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$27.95
The 2006 Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva has intense aromas of dried cherry/black cherry, dark chocolate, oak, leather and faint vanilla. It is a medium to full-bodied, extra-dry, integrated to aged wine, with good acidity, refined tannins and a smooth and silky finish of long length. Drink as a sipper; now – 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended due to both quality and value. Tasted July/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
Stratus Chardonnay 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$48.00
The 2012 Stratus Chardonnay, naturally ferment in barrel and then aged for 9+ months in French oak barrels (18% new), has rich aromas of butter, vanilla and oak on the nose and ripe pear, wood and vanilla + butter on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with good acidity and a long finish. This is a sipping wine (though food friendly); enjoy for 5-10 years (enclosed with long cork). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended for its quality, though rather pricey. Tasted in Jul/14 at 'Barrels & Bonfires (i4C 2014)' http://grapeselections.com/i4c-2014/.
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
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
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
Far Niente Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Oakville, Napa Valley
California, Usa$218.95
The 2008 Far Niente Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine, with nice aromas of black currant, blueberry and dark chocolate. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is smooth, long and coconuty. Try now, but best to age from 2013/4 to 2020 as the score will improve. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - it is a good deal if $$$ is no object, as it will significantly improve with age, otherwise wait for something nearly as good and for more acceptable price to come out. Tasted Nov/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Ascheri Barolo Pisapola 2006, Doc Barolo
Piedmont, Italy$42.95
The 2006 Ascheri Barolo Pisapola is a light bodied, integrated wine with nice aromas or dried red fruit, rose and liquorice. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. Drink now or cellar for the next 5 or so years, but don't expect much of improvement. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - quite pricey for what it is. There are currently available cheaper Nebbiolos of better quality. Tasted Jan/12.
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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia 2009, Doc Bolgheri
Tuscany, Italy$59.95
The 2009 Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Dell'ornellaia, produced mainly from young wines, is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with nice aromas of slightly yogurty blackberry, black cherry and subtle oak. It is nicely balanced, with tannins that are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and a long finish. It should be put away for couple of years at least, drink 2013-2020. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - bit pricey for what it is, mainly you are paying for the name. Tasted Dec/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Merlot 2007, Peumo, Rapel Valley
Chile$19.95
This full bodied, nicely complex, 2007 Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Merlot has nice aromas of fruity to INTEGRATED notes of black cherry, prune, pronounced smoke, cut hay, oak, emerging leather and vanilla. It is tannic (decant for 1 hour or more) and the finish is long, nicely balanced and with some heat. It is best to lay it down for next several years, best 2015 - 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 93 pts - I highly recommend this wine, especially if you can age it as suggested. 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
Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2008, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$26.95
The 2008 Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza, composed of 100% Tempranillo that was aged in oak barrels for 18 months, is a medium bodied wine, with intense aromas of integrated to aged red berries, oak, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and a finish is long. Drink now or for the next 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - recommended buy. Aug/12.
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V