Dan Trcka
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Followers (47)
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Following (5)
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Reviews (1016)
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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
Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi Le Rose Barolo 2005, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$51.95
The 2005 Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi Le Rose Barolo is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with appealing aromas of dried red fruit, liquorice, cedar and subtle coconut. It is tannic (decant for 60+ min) and the finish is medium and smooth. Drink now- 2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts. Tasted Nov/10.
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
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2005
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
The 2005 Castelgiocondo Brunello Di Montalcino, which has been aged in oak for 36 months, is light bodied with intense aromas of integrated red berries, cedar and vanilla. It is somewhat disjoint as the tannins (tannic - decant for half to full hour), the intense aromas, the light body and the short to medium finish do not reinforce each other. I would not age this wine as it will only loose complexity. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88.5 - not a recommended buy. 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
La Velona Brunello Di Montalcino 2004
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
The 2004 La Velona, made up of 100% Sangiovese that has been aged in Slovenia oak for more than 3 years, is medium bodied with nice aromas of integrated black fruit, thyme, cedar and liquorice (funny that no matter how I tried, I could not pinpoint which black fruit may add to the complexity - seems that other reviewers had similar problems). Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for more than 1 hour to allow the wine to fully open) and the finish is long and smooth. This wine will be at its best from 2012 to 2016 and beyond. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - tasted Oct/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
Cat Amongst The Pigeons Nine Lives Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Australia$17.95
This medium to full bodied Shiraz has nicely aromatic, fruity aromas of bilberry and prune. It is quite hot (15% alcohol), with subtle to refined tannins(decant for 15 to 30 min) and a medium finish with a though of brettanomyces. It will be best in 2013 to 2017, but since it has a screw cap I would not age it that long. My impression: NICE, 87 pts. Tasted Oct/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
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
Finca Los Nobles Cabernet/Bouchet 2005, Mendoza
Argentina$63.95
The 2005 Finca Los Nobles Cabernet/Bouchet released today (October 15th, 2011) is a re-release from November 13th 2010, but now it is for a whole $1 cheaper. It is a full bodied (bit too bold and overpowering), integrated wine with intense aromas of black currant, black cherry, leather/liquorice and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is long and smooth. It is good to drink now, but will also hold and evolve nicely till 2020 and beyond. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - a recommended buy (if you have a thick wallet or deep pockets). Tasted July/11.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @ www.grapeselections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
It seems that most people have already tried the 2001 Baron De Ley Gran Reserva, before I did, and no wonder why. It came out originally on December 11th 2010 and then again on March 17th 2012. Not only that, but this wine won the Gold Medal winner at the 2010 International Wine & Spirit Competition (according to LCBO, but where?) - so where was I?
This aged wine is medium bodied, with intense aromas of red fruit - remnants of cherries and red currants, dominating leather, soft pine and fading vanilla. After 11 years, the structure is still solid yet soft; with nice, food friendly acidity, subtle to refined tannins and a long finish. Decant in a glass and watch it evolve. It was ready to drink some time ago and still has at least 5 years of life left, before even more of the complexity begins to diminish. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - recommended buy despite the $$. Tasted March/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
Tandem Auction Block Pinot Noir 2007, Sonoma Coast
California, Usa$29.95
This light bodied 2007 Tandem Auction Block Pinot Noir has integrated notes of strawberry, rosehip and oak. Tannins are subtle (15 min in decanter is enough), acidity is refreshing and the finish is medium and a bit sweet. It is good to drink now and should remain lively for the next few years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts - just a day before I had a Pinot from Konzelmann winery 2007 vintage for less than half the price that performed about the same. Tasted Dec/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
Stolpman Estate Syrah 2007, Santa Ynez Valley
California, Usa$32.95
The 2007 Stolpman Estate Syrah has a medium to full body with fruity to INTEGRATED notes of black currant, bilberry, black cherry, coconut and vanilla. It has refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a long and smooth finish which is tangy (contribution from the Viognier). This wine should definitely be laid away for several years and can age/evolve for the next 10+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - I recommend this wine for those can cellar it. Tasted Dec/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
Concha Y Toro Maycas Del Limarí Reserva Syrah 2009
Limari Valley, Chile$14.95
The 2009 Concha Y Toro Maycas Del Limari Reserva Syrah is medium to full bodied, with nicely fruity aromas of strawberry yogurt, prune and chocolate. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. This wine is still quite young, but should evolve quite nicely. Drink 2013 - 2016 and beyond. My impression: NICE, 89.5 pts - I would highly recommend this wine to anyone who is able to age it and this is why: it is quite nice already, its complexity will only amplify, and the price point is quite frankly unbeatable (in Ontario). This wine reminds me of French Syrah - most recently the 2007 Domaine Belle Les Pierrelles Crozes Hermitage released on February 8th LCBO#41921 for $23. Tasted March/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