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
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
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
Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$54.95
The 2007 Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino, composed of 100% Sangiovese that was aged in French Oak for 12-14 months, has appealing bouquet of dried pomegranate, red currant, cherry, oak and leather. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated to aged wine; balanced with forward acidity, drying tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a smooth, wood dominated finish of long length. Enjoy on-its-own; drink now – 2017+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted at 'Taste Italy 2013' http://grapeselections.com/taste-italy-2013/ in 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
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
Les Vignoles Terroirs Et Lieu Dieu De Loire Saumur Champigny 2009, Ac, Cabernet Franc
Loire, France$15.95
The 2009 Les Vignoles Terroirs Et Lieu Dieu De Loire Saumur Champigny, composed of 100% Cabernet Franc, is a light to medium, integrated wine, with appealing aromas of cherry, black cherry, dark chocolate and faint cedar. It has a nice acidity, subtle to refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a medium finish. It is ready to drink now and should be for the next 3-5 years. Drink-how: this wine is meant to be drunk with food. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. 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
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
Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$18.95
The 2010 Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages is composed of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan and was aged in oak for about 11 months. It is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, smoke, oak and vanilla. Its tannins are dusty and tannic (decant for 30+ minutes) and has a medium finish. Drink from 2014/15 and cellar till 2020-25 as it has ‘evolution’ potential of another 1-2 pts. Drink-how: now drink with food, in 5+ years it will make a great sipper. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - recommended buy at this price, especially for people who can tuck it away for few+ years. 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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Peter Lehmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Australia$11.95
This Peter Lehmann Cabernet from the general section has a medium body and fruity aromas of bilberry, prune, faint leather and cedar. Acidity is quite refreshing, tannins are dusty and refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long and smooth. It has the potential to age for the next few years (watch out, it's a screw top). My impression: quite NICE, 88.5 pts - for $13, you can't go wrong, give it a try. 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)G
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