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
Ruffino Modus 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
OK, so didn’t return the last 4 bottles (see review below) and here was another attempt at seemingly perfectly good bottle. The 2007 Modus has intense aromas of barnyard, pine, oak, vanilla, earth, dark chocolate and cherry on the nose and yogurty blackberry, cranberry and pomegranate on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated to aged wine, with forward acidity, refined, chalky, tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long finish. Drink as a sipper; still closed - drink 2015-2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - would recommend if still available. Tasted June/13.
The 2007 Ruffino Modus, composed of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, was aged for 12 months in French and American oak casks and was rated #25 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2010. It has strong penicillin/corked notes upon opening that diminish after about half an hour of decanting and allowing the wine to be reasonably enjoyable. Once decanted, it is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with intense aromas of black cherry, red currant, chocolate, leather, cedar/oak and vanilla. It has a nice structure, tannins that are refined to tannic and a long finish. Though made with aging in mind, I would not recommend aging it as more funky notes will emerge. My impression: NICE, 90 pts tasted once in December 2011 shortly after it was released, and again in June 2012 (didn't publish the review of the first bottle, as I thought it was corked). Bought 6 bottles, will return the remaining 4.
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
Franco Molino Barolo 2006, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$29.95
The 2006 Franco Molino Barolo is light bodied, integrated wine, with nice aromas of cherry, liquorice and wood. It is very tannic (decant for more than 2 hours) and the finish is long and tight. It should be cellared for at least 3 years to allow the tannins to subdue and perhaps allow more of the complexity to shine; can be enjoyed 2015-2025. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, due to being too tight (and I love tannins), 88 pts - Not a recommended buy as recently I have tasted several other Barolos or Barbarescos that were cheaper and far better - check out Terre Del Barolo Monvigliero Barolo 2004 (97535) or Pelissero Barbaresco 2007 (214551). 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
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
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
Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$16.95
Dan Trcka
The 2009 Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine, with nice aromas of sweet cherry + vanilla and thyme on the nose and blackberry and bilberry on the palate. It is off balance: slightly acidic, with refined tannins (decant for 1 hour plus) and a medium to long finish with noticeable fizzyness that lasts for the first hour. Drink now or hold standing up (screw cap) for short term. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL (at first) to NICE, 88 pts - not a recommended wine. 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)G
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
Terre Del Barolo Monvigliero Barolo 2004, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$33.95
The 2004 Terre Del Barolo Monvigliero Barolo is medium bodied, INTEGRATED to aged wine with nice aromas of cherry, wood and liquorice. Tannins are tannic (decant for more than 1 hour) and finish is long to extra long and smooth and silky. It is good to drink now and shall be between 2011-2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts and a recommended buy. Tasted July/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
Mas Igneus Barranc Dels Closos 2006, Vinyes De Coster, Doca Priorat
Spain$18.75
This is a powerful wine with a substantial complexity. It has medium body with integrated fruit and elegant aromas of black currant, blackberry, violets, cedar and slight vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min all the way to 2 hours and it will only get better; the wine is a bit metallic in the first 5-10 min) and the finish is bold with a medium to long length. The combination of high alcohol and tannins ensure that aging and evolution will happen for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - highly recommended wine for under $20, could easily cost up to $30 without any eyebrows being raised - BUY, BUY before its all gone. Tasted May/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