Dan Trcka
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Followers (47)
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Following (5)
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Reviews (1015)
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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
Château Rouquette Sur Mer Cuvée Amarante 2007, Ac Côteaux Du Languedoc La Clape
Languedoc, France$17.95
Seeing the Wine Align reviews, I decided to give this wine a try; first in July with dinner and second in August during wine tasting with a group of friends. Each time, I did not "taste" what the other reviewers tasted. Every time, the wine seemed medium to full bodied, aromatic with fruity to integrated notes of cherry and black currant and with refined tannins. However, as my notes tell me, the two bottles differed considerably. The first time, the wine seemed somewhat sweet and my overall impression was NOTHING SPECIAL; the second time, the wine had a strong, unappealing smell of brettanomyces - reminiscent of spoiled yogurt. This time my (and others) impression was DRINKABLE BUT WHY. At this price range, I should expect to see consistency. Perhaps I purchased an odd bottle as the wine seems quite popular. I however would really not recommend it. Averaged 87 pts. Tasted July and August 2010.
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
Señorío De P. Peciña Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
The 2001 Señorío De P. Peciña Reserva 2001, was originally released by the LCBO on November 12th, 2011 and then again on November 24th 2012. It is composed of 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano and 2% Garnacha and was aged in oak barrels for 3 years and then in bottle for another 8 years. It is a medium bodied, aged wine, with intense aromas of dried red fruit, forest mushrooms, leather, oak and dried vanilla bean. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1-2 hours for the wine to display its bouquet) and a long to extra long finish. As the fruit is diminishing, I suggest savouring it by itself, but if need be, roasted beef will pair nicely; it is to be drunk now or held for few more years to 2015 with no added aging benefit. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - recommended buy for that special night or to give as a present. Tasted Dec/12.
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
Errázuriz Single Vineyard Don Maximiano Estate Carmenère 2008, Aconcagua Valley
Chile$19.95
This full bodied Carmenere has beautiful aromas of vanilla and black cherry and subtle notes of smoke, pine, green pepper and Earth. It has a bit disjoint composition until it really opens up (about 1 hr). It has subtle to refined tannins and a long, yet slightly metallic finish which doesn’t impede its quality. This wine is best when opened for 1.5 hrs until about 2.5 hours, after which it starts to slowly decay. I think it will be much better in couple of years when the flavours become more amalgamated. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL. Buy 3-6 bottles for cellaring. Tasted Apr/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
D'arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$39.90
The 2008 D'arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz is a medium to full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of bilberry, black currant, subtle strawberry, oak and vanilla on the nose and chocolate, oak, coconut and vanilla on the palate. It has a good structure, refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long finish. Doesn`t seem to be alcoholic though at 15%. This sipper can be aged for another 5-10 years standing up (screw cap). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts.
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
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
Prado Rey Crianza 2006, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$20.95
The 2006 Prado Rey Crianza, aged in American oak for 12 months followed by 3 more in French oak, is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED, with nice aromas of black cherry, prune, coconut and vanilla. The structure is a bit disconnected, with refined tannins (decant for 30 min); the finish is long. Drink 2014/15-2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - watch out for some sediment. Tasted Feb/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
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Rosewood Estates Semillon 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$18.00
The 2010 Rosewood Estates Semillon has appealing aromas of pineapple and cantaloupe. It is a medium bodied, perceivably extra-dry/dry, fruity wine, with checked acidity and a medium to long, clean finish. Though food friendly, this wine can be sipped by itself; drink now – 2016 (cork enclosure). Tasted at Rosewood Semillon Vertical Tasting (http://grapeselections.com/semillon-vertical-tasting-rosewood-estates/) in June/13 and rated it 90-91 pts.
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
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
Chocapalha Reserva Tinto 2008, Vinho Regional Lisboa
Portugal$24.95
The 2008 Chocapalha Reserva Tinto is a medium to full bodied, integrated wine, with nice aromas of red currant, chocolate and cedar. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium finish. It is ready to drink now or cellar for 5 to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts. Tasted Jan/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
3.5 Stars
(0)V