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
Fattoria Di Basciano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$17.95
The 2006 Fattoria Di Basciano Chianti Rufina Riserva, originally sold for $25.95 and now for $19.95, is medium bodied, INTEGRATED to aged wine, with intense aromas of dark chocolate, smoke, leather and vanilla on the nose and red currant and cherry on the palate. It is tannic (decant for 1 to 2 hours) and the finish is medium to long. It is good to drink now or can be held for 5 more years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - and would have been a recommended buy if still widely available (in fact, I thought this was October 15th release). 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)V
Dante Rivetti Bricco Riserva Barbaresco 2004, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$38.35
This 2004 Dante Rivetti Bricco Riserva Barbaresco is a quite atypical Barbaresco, with a profile that is very pleasant, but for sure not traditional. It is medium bodied and integrated, with nice aromas of yogurty cherry and coconut. Tannins are refined (decant for 1 hour) and the finish is long. It is good to drink now or can be cellared for the next 5 to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 88 pts - quite expensive at the original price of $46.95, now bit better at $38.35 (I guess I am not the only one noticing its unusualness). 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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Belle Les Pierrelles Crozes Hermitage 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$22.95
The 2007 Domaine Belle Les Pierrelles Crozes Hermitage is light to MEDIUM bodied, with nice aromas of FRUITY to integrated strawberry, raspberry, prune, cedar and black pepper. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for more than 1 hour to fully open), acidity is nice and the finish is medium. It should evolve nicely for the next 5 years, but can be drunk now. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - not a syrah that resembles anything from the new world and not exactly doing it for me, but the wine is surely well crafted and quite unique and therefore a recommended buy. Tasted Feb/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
Bodegas Lan Viña Lanciano Reserva 2004, Doc Rioja
Spain$28.95
The 2004 Bodegas Lan Viña Lanciano Reserva is medium bodied, nicely aromatic, fruity to INTEGRATED wine. On the nose and especially at the beginning, yogurty cherry is predominant, followed by cedar and green pepper. On the palate, red cherries and dark chocolate emerge. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 30 min), acidity is nice and in balance with tannins and the finish is long, smooth and silky. It is good to drink now and will remain so for more than 5 years (especially with a nice > 5 cm cork). My impression NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a recommended buy even though a bit $$. Tasted June/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
Ruffino Il Ducale 2007, Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy$19.25
The 2007 Ruffino Il Ducale is a medium bodied wine, with notes of integrated raspberry, cedar/thyme, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 1 to 2 hours) and the finish is medium to long and smooth. Good to drink now and for the next 5 years. My impression: NICE, 88.5 pts - a bit costly in my view. 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)G
Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$27.95
The 2005 Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva, composed of 84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha and 3% Carignan (Mazuelo), is a medium to full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, cherry, pine/oak and vanilla. It has a nice structure, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long, smooth finish. Though ready to drink now, this wine will age nicely for the next 10+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - an elegant traditional Rioja, with wood notes that are not overpowering - recommended buy. Tasted July/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO on www.grapeselections.com
or
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2007, South Australia
Australia$34.95
The 2007 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz is nicely aromatic, medium to full bodied, fruity wine. The nose displays blackberry, blueberry, coconut and oak, whereas strawberry, prune and green pepper can be noted on the palate. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. Suggested drinking between 2014 to 2020. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - fruit bomb. Tasted June/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
Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2006, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$24.95
The 2006 Pirramimma Petit Verdot is medium bodied, with fruity to INTEGRATED notes of strawberry, raspberry, violets, oak and coconut. I was looking for that milk chocolate note that Julian Hitner mentions and I could almost perceive it, almost. Tannins are subtle to refined and the finish is long and smooth, especially once it opens up (decant for more than an hour). The acidity is nice and refreshing - this would make a nice RED summer wine. As far as ageability, not sure what to say due to the screw cap enclosure - I guess I will find out. My impression: NICE TO BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a definite recommendation, not only due to its complexity, but 100% Petit Verdot is a gem. 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
Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$23.25
The 2008 Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon is a full bodied, integrated wine, with nice aromas of blackberry, cedar, leather and vanilla + coconut. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long and alcoholic (15.5%). Drink now or cellar for the next 5 years standing up (screw cap). My impression: NICE, 90 pts. Tasted Dec/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
Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2008, Coonawarra
South Australia, Australia$34.95
The 2008 Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz is a full bodied, nicely aromatic, fruity wine. On the nose, it is dominated by wild strawberries, raspberry and oak, whereas the palate shows some coconut and some more strawberry. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is long with some heat. This wine is too young (still overly fruity - reminiscent of a fruit juice), but has a nice complexity and tannic structure and so should evolve quite well with a projected drinking time between 2014 to 2022. My impression: (currently) NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88.5 pts - if this wine was under $20, I would recommend its purchase and 3 to 4 year storage. 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
