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
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2010
Priorat, Spain$48.95
The 2010 Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, blackberry, oak, cut hay, vanilla and coconut. It has a solid structure with good acidity, nice minerality, refined tannins and a medium to long finish. It’s still quite young, drink 2014-2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - though not a typical wine from Priorat.
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
Palacios Remondo Propiedad 2008
Rioja, Spain$39.00
The 2008 Palacios Remondo Propiedad is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, caramel, oak and vanilla. The structure is acid forward and with refined tannins and the finish is medium to long. Drink now or hold for 5 years. My impression: NICE, 89.5 pts.
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
Pirramimma Katunga Gts 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$24.95
The 2007 Pirramimma Katunga GTS, which received a Silver Medal at the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition, is composed of 54% Grenache, 24% Tannat and 22% Shiraz. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of vanilla, oak and blackberry on the nose and raspberry, unripe pomegranate and sandalwood on the palate ending in a long, mineral finish. The structure still needs some time to come together as it is currently tannic (decant for 1+ hours) and a bit acidic. It should be cellared for the next few years, drink 2014-2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – sipping wine or with strong cheeses. 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
Sandhill Cabernet/Merlot 2009, VQA Okanagan Valley, Sandhill Estate Vineyard
British Columbia, Canada$19.95
The 2009 Sandhill Cabernet/Merlot is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, sweet vanilla, cedar and very faint green note. Acidity is on the acidic side, tannins are refined (decant for 1+ hours) and the finish is long. Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years. This wine can be enjoyed with food or sipped by itself. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts - great wine from Canadian producer, hence a recommended buy. Tasted Aug/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)G
Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva 2001
Rioja, Spain$30.95
The 2001 Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva, composed of 100% Tempranillo and aged in French and American oak for 24 months, is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with intense aromas of red berries, cherry, vanilla, coconut, toasted oak and faint leather. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and an extra long finish, making it an ideal sipping wine (don't waste it with food, cherish it). It is ready to drink now and will last for at least another 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 92+ points - this is the best traditional Rioja that LCBO has released in at least a year. Tasted June, July and Aug/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, Mornington Peninsula
Victoria, Australia$32.75
The 2010 Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir, a blend of MV6 (80%) and Pommard, G5V15, and 115 clones making up the remainder - all sourced from the Mornington Peninsula; has captivating, intense aromas of almond, cigar box, black currant and raspberry. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; balanced with good acidity, refined, dusty tannins and a long and smooth finish. This is a sipping wine; drink now to 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 93 pts – recommended for its quality.
Tasted at Australia Today 2014 Trade show http://grapeselections.com/australian-wine/ in Feb/14.
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
Alvaro Castro Red 2008, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$17.95
The 2008 Alvaro Castro is a light to medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of ripe red currant, blackberry and oak. Though on the acidic side, it has a good structure with refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a medium to long, fruit filled finish. Drink now and for the next 2-4 years. It has typical regional character, which in this case translates into food friendly wine. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted July/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Valdivieso Single Vineyard Old Vines Malbec 2009, Do Sagrada Familia, Valle De Curico
Maipo Valley, Chile$16.50
The 2008 Valdivieso Single Vineyard Old Vines Malbec (not the 2009, label mistake, hence the discount?), harvested from 80 year old vineyard and aged in French Oak for 12 months prior to bottling, is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of blackberry, figs, toasted oak, vanilla and coconut. It has a nice minerality, refined tannins (decant for 1-2 hours), is on the acidic side and has a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly, though I would recommend to sip it; drink now-2016. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - recommended buy, discounted from $19.95. 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
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2009, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$34.95
The 2009 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of dusty cherry, dates and woody notes. It has a good structure, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long, smooth finish. Drink now to 2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Dec/12.
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
Trius Showcase Chardonnay Wild Ferment Oliveira Vineyard 2012, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$36.20
The 2012 Trius Wild Ferment Chardonnay was sourced from Lincoln Lakeshore and then aged for 11 months in French Oak barrels; has attractive notes of lees, gooseberry and vanilla. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, slight fizz and a medium finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink for the next few years (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted in Jul/14 at 'Barrels & Bonfires (i4C 2014)' http://grapeselections.com/i4c-2014/.
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