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
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
Château Saint Roch Chimères 2007, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages
Languedoc, France$19.95
This medium bodied blend consisting of 65% Grenache, 5% Carignan and 30% Syrah has nicely aromatic, integrated notes of cherry, black currant, pine and green pepper. It is tannic (decant for 1 hour) with a medium to long, bretty finish. This wine can be aged for 5 to 10 more years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted AGAIN in Aug/10 during French wine tasting and it was very well liked by other tasters.
One observation I would like to make is that even though this wine was released in February, there are still plenty of bottles left, which makes me conclude that it is not ALL THAT (as some critics say). However, on the other side, there are many reviews scoring above 90. So perhaps this wine is worthy of a try.
PREVIOUS RATING
(one for which I got a thumb up and a thumb down)
This fruity, medium bodied wine has notes of prune, bilberry and earthiness containing scents of pine. It struck me as a bit acidic and tannic (needs at least 30 min to open). This wine is nice, but I am not a fan of very plumy wines. It reminds me of some Jay Miller 90+ wines from Spain for under $15. Impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted Feb/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
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$27.95
This full bodied Australian Cab is nicely aromatic with integrated notes of black currant, blackberry, Earth, pine, vanilla and oak. The tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 1/2 to 1 hour) and the finish is long and smooth and silky. It should nicely evolve for the next decade or so. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts. Reviewed again May/10.
My earlier review:
Dominated by black currant, black cherry and bilberry, this wine also has notes of pine, oak and vanilla. It is smooth and silky; still young, fruity and somewhat tannic (needs one hour to open), with medium to full body and a long finish. My impression: BEAUTIFUL. Tasted Feb/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
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
La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf Du Pape 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$42.95
The 2009 La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf Du Pape is medium bodied, FRUITY to integrated wine, with nice aromas of yogurty cherry and red currant. It is slightly sweet, with nice balance of acid and refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is medium, bit alcoholic at 15.5% and somewhat tangy. This wine should definitely be aged as it is too young and it will do so nicely for more than a decade - try around 2014. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87 pts - while looking at the other reviews, I am starting to wonder if I am reviewing the same bottle, but having time to pay attention to the entire bottle (not alone), I must stand by my review. Tasted Aug/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
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
Stratus Stratus Cabernet Franc 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.20
The 2007 Stratus Cabernet Franc is a fine example of this single varietal, originally (over)priced at $38, then reduced to $24.95. The wine is medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated red fruit (raspberry, red currant), coffee, leather and black pepper. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. It is good to drink now and will be for the next 5-10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89.5 pts - and would be a recommended buy if still available. Tasted Sept/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)
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