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
Masi Costasera Amarone 2006, Veneto
Veneto, Italy$41.95
This lightly aromatic, medium bodied Amarone has fruity to integrated notes of cherry, black currant, chocolate and green pepper. The tannins are subtle (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. It should be at it’s best sometime in 2011-2013. My impression: NICE. However, I would not buy it again as I consider the price to be too high. I have tried some Ripassos that performed better for under $20. Tasted Mar/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)G
Terre Nere Brunello Di Montalcino 2005, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$42.95
The 2005 Terre Nere Brunello Di Montalcino is a medium bodied wine, with intense aromas of integrated cherry, thyme and delicate sandalwood. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant from 15 min to 1 hour and watch it open up) and the finish is long and silky. Brunello's are meant to be aged, though ready to drink now, sample for the next 10 or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 91.5 pts - would be a recommended buy (especially for this price - inexpensive for Brunello's) if I managed to review it when it got released Mar19/11. 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
Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2006, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$27.75
This medium bodied Shiraz has aromas of black currant, black cherry, blackberry and cedar. It is smooth, with refined tannins and medium finish. It has the potential to evolve in the next few years to a decade, but can be drunk now. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL. Tasted Dec/09.
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
Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
Australia$23.95
I got this wine as a delayed birthday present and what a treat that was. This medium bodied Cab is integrated with pronounced aromas of black currant and cedar and subtle notes of strawberry and vanilla. Tannins are dusty and refined to tannic (decant for about an hour) and the finish is smooth and long. It’s good to drink now, but if you wait for couple of years, you will be nicely rewarded. Expected aging potential is up to 2016 to 2018. I must note that it has been a while since I had Australian red with a traditional cork. This wine reminds me of Cipressi Macchiarossa 2005, though a bit younger. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted Aug/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
Segal's Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Galilee Heights, Israel
Israel, World$17.95
The 2007 Segal's Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of raspberry, leather, oak and subtle clove and dark liquorice. It has a nice structure with nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1 hour for it to open) and a medium to long finish. It is ready to drink now or can be cellared for 5+ more years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91.5 pts - recommended buy. 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
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
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)
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
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