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
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
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 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
Domaine De La Côte De L'ange Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$37.95
The 2007 Domaine De La Côte De L'ange Châteauneuf Du Pape is a medium to full bodied wine, with nice aromas of integrated bilberry, blueberry, liquorice and oak. It has soft to refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min), nice acidity and long and smooth finish. It is good to drink now, but will benefit from aging for at least 2 years and up to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts. Tasted Oct/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
Beringer Merlot 2006, Napa Valley
California, Usa$39.95
The 2006 Beringer Merlot is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, cherry, smoke, oak and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is long and a bit acidic. Good to drink now and will be 2012 to 2018. My impression: quite NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90.5 pts. 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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2007, Igt Rosso Dei Colli Della Toscana Centrale
Tuscany, Italy$27.95
The 2007 Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto is a medium bodied, nicely aromatic, INTEGRATED to aged wine. On the nose, it is dominated by cedar and leather, whereas the palate senses black cherry and faint coconut. It still has quite tight tannins that are in balance with acidity (decant between 1 to 2 hours, but not any longer) and the finish is long and smooth. I love tannins, so for me it is good to drink now, yet it still has the potential to evolve (mostly by mellowing out the tannins) and should be at its best around 2014 till 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - I definitely recommend this wine to those who enjoy tannins. Tasted Apr/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)V
Coriole Redstone Shiraz 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
Australia$17.95
The 2007 Coriole Redstone Shiraz is a nicely aromatic, medium bodied wine with notes of FRUITY to integrated strawberry, blackberry, bilberry, blueberry, smoke, oak and rosehip. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15 min or more) and the finish is long. It is good to drink now or can be kept for short term cellaring. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - I definitely recommend this wine as it combines value and quality. 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
CedarCreek Cabernet Merlot 2007, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$23.95
This medium bodied 2007 Cedarcreek Estate Cabernet/Merlot really puts the meaning into the word blend. It consists of 47% Cab. Sauv, 28% Merlot, 22% Cab. Franc, 1.4% Pinot Noir, 0.5% Malbec, 0.4% Syrah and 0.3% Petit Verdot. One would expect a fullish body with a nice bouquet, but this wine is medium bodied with faint, FRUITY to integrated notes of red currant and coconut. The acidity is notably refreshing, tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. Good to drink now and I don't see the point in aging. My impression: NICE, 87 pts. 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