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
Pecchenino San Giuseppe Barolo 2005, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$44.95
The 2005 Pecchenino San Giuseppe Barolo, which has spent 24 months in oak barrels, has a light to medium body with intense aromas of integrated red currant, cedar, delicate vanilla and liquorice. Tannins are refined (decant for longer than 30 min to fully open up) and the finish is long and smooth. Great to drink now, but will also hold for another 10+ years for sure. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - I nice Barolo for amazing price, great value and 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
Geografico Pulleraia 2006, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
The 2006 Geografico Pulleraia is a medium bodied wine made of 100% Merlot that was aged in oak for 12 months. It is nicely aromatic with integrated notes of black berries, oak, vanilla and coconut. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium to long. I would not recommend aging this wine any longer, since despite its length, the cork was soaked all the way to the top (all 3 bottles opened). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts. Tasted in Nov/10 during Italian wine tasting where it was quite liked.
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
Navarro Correas Alegoria Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2007, Mendoza
Argentina$20.00
The 2007 Navarro Correas Alegoria Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, aged in French oak for 18 months, is a medium to full bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, oak and subtle vanilla. It is slightly acidic, has tannins that are refined to tannic (decant for 15 to 30 min) and a long finish. Drink now or cellar till 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - excellent buy for $16.20 (originally for $19.95) - pick up the few remaining bottles. Tasted Mar/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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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