Dan Trcka
|
Followers (47)
|
|
|
Following (5)
|
Reviews (1016)
|
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
Carmen Gran Reserva Syrah 2009, Apalta
Colchagua Valley, Chile$17.95
The 2009 Carmen Gran Reserva (100%) Syrah, which was aged for 10 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels, has intense aromas of eucalyptus, stewed prunes, vanilla and oak. It is a full to thick bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; balanced – with checked acidity, chalky mouthfeel, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a long finish. This one is a sipper: drink now or cellar till 2020+ as it has an evolution potential of +1 or 2 pts. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts (+1 or 2) – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted at Wines of Chile 2013 tasting in October/13 - http://grapeselections.com/wines-of-chile-2013/
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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough
New Zealand$19.95
I read the reviews and decided to give this one a try. The 2009 Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir is light bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine with nice aromas of rosehip, chocolate and oak on the nose and light raspberry on the palate. Tannins are subtle and the finish is medium to long (decant for 1 hour) and a bit sweet. Drink now or hold upright (screw cap) for 1 to 2 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - liked, but you can get as complex (if you age it for couple of years in a bottle with a real cork) Pinot Noir from our backyard – the Konzelnmann winery from Niagara-on-the-Lake for under $15 - especially good vintages 2005, 2007, 2009. Tasted Oct/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
3.5 Stars
(0)G
Haywood Los Chamizal Vineyard Zinfandel 2006, Sonoma Valley
California, Usa$29.95
This medium bodied, slightly sweet 2006 Haywood Los Chamizal Vineyard Zinfandel has nice integrated aromas of raspberry, black cherry, cedar, subtle green pepper, oak, coconut and vanilla (that emerges after one hour of decanting). Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for more than an hour for all the complexity to emerge) and the finish is medium to long. It is best to drink now, despite its ability to evolve for the next few or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - nicely crafted wine that surely will please even the dry-wine-lovers. Tasted Dec/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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Rosewood Estates Merlot 2010, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$21.95
The 2010 Rosewood Estates Merlot, aged in French Oak for 13 months, is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of raspberry jam, prune, oak, coconut and vanilla. It has refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a long, sweet-vanillin finish. This wine can be enjoyed as a standalone sipper and will compliment food as well; drink now or cellar for 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – well priced for $22.00 and hence a recommended buy. Tasted Oct/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
for more Rosewood wines see my post here
http://grapeselections.com/young-and-eager/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru 1999, Ac
Burgundy, France$44.95
What an awesome opportunity! An 11.5 year old Pinot Noir for under $30. This light bodied, aged wine has nice, yet subtle aromas of raspberry, red currant, earth and leather. Tannins are refined (decant for more than 30 min), acidity is balanced and the finish is long. Not to cellar this whine, instead, drink it now (I sensed faint notes of mold - probably an unlucky bottle as the critics would have picked up on it). My impression: NICE, 89 pts - I would recommend to get one or two bottles and to drink it in a short term. 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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay 2011, Atalayas Vineyard, Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley, Chile$24.95
The Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay 2011 was made with organically and biodynamically grown grapes from the Atalayas vineyard that subsequently were fermented and aged in French Oak for 8 months. It has captivating aromas of pear, light minerality, butter and subtle oak as well as light hint of roasted coffee beans. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine with checked acidity, soft tannins and a long, slightly hot finish. Food friendly or a stand-alone sipper; drink now - 2018+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - well crafted wine for fans of Chardonnays lightly imparted by oak and reasonably priced. Tasted privately with Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle in June/13.
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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.00
The 2009 Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay, with fruit sourced from the Felseck Vineyard having plantings dating back to 1988, has intense aromas of unripe pear, unripe currants on the nose and pear and light oak toast on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with good, palate cleansing acidity and a long, smooth, subtly oaky finish. Enjoy this wine on-its-own; drink now – 2018+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Nov/13.
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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Colchagua Valley, Apalta Vineyard
Chile$24.95
This medium bodied, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (from the Apalta vineyard that produces higher quality wines) has an intense bouquet of fruity to INTEGRATED red currant, prune, green pepper and toasted oak notes. It is tannic with dusty tannins (decant for longer than 1 hour) and the finish is medium to long with some heat (14.5% alcohol). This wine should be cellared for some time to allow further maturing and integration of its components - it should be at its best around year 2013 to 2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - the value to $ ratio is however unfavourable as for this price I can get some high quality Tuscans, after all there is no reason why Chilean wine should be this expensive. I will keep the other two bottles to evolve. Tasted Oct/10.
A side note: it was funny to see the Lang and O'Leary exchange hosting the granddaughter of Alexandre Grand Marnier.
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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
La Rosa La Capitana Carménere 2009, Cachapoal Valley
Chile$13.95
The 2009 La Rosa La Capitana Carménere is medium bodied with nice aromas of integrated bilberry, black cherry, cedar, vanilla and faint green pepper. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for longer than half hour) and the finish is chalky, smooth and medium to long. Best to drink now and for the next few years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90.5 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted Jan/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/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
G. D. Vajra Albe Barolo 2007
Piedmont, Italy$26.85
The 2007 G. D. Vajra Albe Barolo has intense notes of fennel seed, oak and sour cherry. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, on the acidic side, with higher tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a medium to long, smooth, finish. Drink as a sipper or with acidic/salty foods; drink now - 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - would be highly recommended if still available, especially for the discounted price of $28. Tasted May/13.
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
3.5 Stars
(0)V