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
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
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
Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2006
Tuscany, Italy$34.95
The 2006 Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine. On the nose, it has some unappealing notes of manure/barnyard as well as pleasant aromas of leather, oak, dark chocolate, raspberry and cherry. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 to 60 min, but not longer) and a long finish. Drink now or hold for 5-10 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - borderline enjoyable due to the barnyard nose, perhaps time will smoothen it out. Tasted Apr/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
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2009, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$25.00
The 2009 Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos, made from the Mencia grape (also known as Jaen in Portugal) ranked #26 on the 2011 Wine Spectator Top 100 wines. It is light to medium bodied, fruity wine with nice aromas of red currant, cherry, toasted oak and hints of fresh coffee fruit and prune as well as strawberry that emerges quite late. It has refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a soft finish of medium length that surprisingly is not alcoholic (as it has 15%). It is still young, cellar for 5-10 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - with potential to get a higher score in the future. A recommended buy. 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
Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007, Doc
Veneto, Italy$42.95
The 2007 Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella is composed of 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 10% of combined Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella; picked from 20+ year old vines and aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 2-3 years before being bottled. It is a full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, mushrooms and faint oak and vanilla at opening, while longer opening reveals notes of red currant, cranberry and slight greenness. It has an intense fruit, good structure with refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and checked acidity; the finish is long and silky. Very food friendly, but I recommend sipping it by itself for full appreciation; tuck few bottles away and drink them now-2020, as this wine has evolution potential. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91+ pts - recommended buy well worth the price, nice treat from the LCBO Essentials. Tasted Jan/13.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$26.95
The 2009 Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is a full bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense, ripe aromas of blackberry, black cherry, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is long, smooth and silky. Drink now or hold upright (screw cap) for 5 or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - correctly priced – hence a recommended buy. Unfortunately the screw cap prevents me from adding this wine to my cellar. Tasted Feb/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
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2008
South Australia, Australia$59.95
The 2008 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz is a medium to full bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of overripe blackberry, blueberry, subtle black currant, caramel, pine, vanilla and coconut. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a long and smooth finish. Put this one away for >3 years to mature and as this wine has a great potential to cellar, drink 2015-2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92+ pts – a recommended buy as a gift or for people with deep pockets. Tasted June/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @ www.grapeselections.com
or
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2010, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$25.00
The 2010 Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos is a light to medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of raspberry, red currant, caramel and floral notes of wild rose. It is tannic and has a finish of medium, slightly bitter length. Both the tannins and the bitterness will dissipate as the wine ages - drink 2014-2020. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - currently the LCBO is selling the 2009 vintage that is nearly sold out.
Tasted during 'The Wines of Alvaro Palacios' tasting organized by WineAlign on March 19th, 2012.
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
Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2008, Ac
Languedoc, France$20.25
The 2008 Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages, composed of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah and aged in oak barrels for 24 months; is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with appealing aromas of blackberry, strawberry and raspberry, as well as hints of caramel and charred oak. At opening, it is somewhat tangy and quite alcoholic (15%), however after more than 1 hour decanting, it loses its alcohol grip and smoother wine emerges. It still needs to be aged for the structure to become balanced, as right now it is slightly acidic, tannins are refined to tannic and the finish is smooth of medium to long length. Lay this one down for few years for it to integrate, drink 2014/15-2020 and beyond as time will enhance this wine. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90.5 pts - recommended buy. 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
Campigli Vallone 'terre Nere' Brunello Di Montalcino 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$42.95
The 2006 Terre Nere Brunello Di Montalcino is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, cherry, toasted oak and leather. The structure is a little off balance, tannins are refined (decant for 1 hr) and the finish is long and slightly alcoholic. It is still young, so tuck away for at least 2-3 years to allow the structure to harmonize, drink 2015-2020+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - an excellent price for Brunello’s, especially ones that are not much better – recommended for the cellar. Tasted Apr/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @ www.grapeselections.com
or
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V