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
Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso 2009, Veneto
Veneto, Italy$15.00
The 2009 Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso, a blend of Corvina and Sangiovese varieties aged in oak, is medium bodied, FRUITY to integrated, with intense aromas of black berries, prune, dark chocolate and some greanage coming from the Corvina grape. Tannins are subtle (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. This wine will benefit from aging 2013-2018, but if what is desired is fruit, then drink now. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – a nice example of Corvina grape for a good price, hence a recommended buy. Tasted Nov/11.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)G
Pasquale Pelissero Barbaresco 2007, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$27.95
The 2007 Pelissero Barbaresco is light to medium bodied, integrated wine. It is nicely aromatic, especially upon opening, when it is intensely aromatic. The nose is dominated by cedar and subtle coffee, mint and liquorice; whereas red fruit (currant/cherry) is noted on the palate. It is tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is nicely long and smooth. Surprisingly it is ready to drink now or can be cellared for more than 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - recommended buy, especially at this price. Tasted June/11.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
La Sauvageonne Pica Broca 2008, Ac Coteaux Du Languedoc
Languedoc, France$12.90
The 2008 La Sauvageonne Pica Broca, composed of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, aged in oak for unspecified length. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of dried dates, dark chocolate, smoke and leather. The structure is a bit disconnected as it is slightly acidic, has chalky, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly or can be sipped by itself; drink now - 2016+. My impression: NICE, 89-90 pts - recommended buy (if you like dates). Priced as a house wine, this wine is more than a nice substitute - ORIGINALLY RELEASED ON JUNE11/11 FOR $18.95, IS NOW ON CLEARANCE SALE FOR $12.90. BUY BUY BUY - I got 18 bottles. Tasted Oct/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Calvet Thunevin Cuvée Constance 2007, Vin De Pays Des Côtes Catalanes
Rhône, France$18.95
The 2007 Domaine Calvet Thunevin Cuvée Constance, which is composed of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan, is light to medium bodied, with integrated blueberry, prune and cedar notes. It is quite alcoholic - 15%, with tannins that are refined to tannic (decant for 15 to 30 min) and with medium, yet smooth finish. Aging potential is short - roughly two years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL TO NICE, 88 pts - in my opinion, not 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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007
Tuscany, Italy$18.95
The 2007 Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano is a medium to full bodied wine, with nice aromas of integrated strawberry, cherry, oak and coconut. It has a nice, food friendly structure with refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min) and a smooth, medium to long finish. Drink now or cellar for 5 to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - recommended buy. 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
Cipressi Macchiarossa 2005, Doc Molise Tintilia
Italy$24.90
Reading the critic reviews (assuming they were written when the wine was released) is interesting, because it gives me a window into how this wine evolved in the past year. This nicely aromatic, light bodied wine has integrated to aged scents of light berries – raspberry and red currant. Also violets and pine notes are evident upon opening, which then transform into nice cedar notes. Tannins are refined to slightly tannic and the finish is long. This wine evolves as you sip on it, so I recommend drinking it over 2-3 hours. It has the potential to age for another 5 or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL. Tasted Mar/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
Domaine Puig Parahy Georges 2007, Ac Côtes De Roussillon
Languedoc, France$17.95
This light bodied, fruity wine has aromas of strawberry, black cherry and Earth. It is tannic with dusty tannins (decant for more than 1 hr - the longer you do, the more enjoyable it will be) and has a medium, uneventful and a bit metallic finish. It can be drunk now or can age for 5 or more years. When it comes to evolution, I don't expect it to evolve well as the fruit aromas are already quite light and once the overwhelming tannins (and I am a fan of tannins) mellow out, there will be no fruit left. The wine was not aged in oak to "preserve" the fruit flavours, so I would not expect any floral, spicy or animal notes to come forth. I am not surprised this wine is $14 (cheap for France), but I am surprised that several critics gave it such a high review. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE. I only gave it 87 pts due to my rounding up rule. Tasted May/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
Burgo Viejo Reserva 2001
Rioja, Spain$18.95
This senior wine is light to medium bodied with strong aromas of aged leather, liquorice, light berries and a combination of cedar, green pepper and oak. Tannins are refined (best to decant for more than 1 hour) and finish is medium. I think there is perhaps up to 2 years of life left in this wine. My impression: NICE, 90 pts (due to complexity), not recommended though as I think the aged aromas are a tad overwhelming, its either that or I may have purchased a bit corked bottle and perhaps I should give this another try. Tasted June/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
Château Puech Haut Prestige Saint Drézéry 2009, Dop Languedoc
Languedoc, France$26.95
The 2009 Château Puech Haut Prestige is a full bodied, FRUITY to integrated wine with intense aromas of bilberry, prune/caramel, cedar, oak and coconut. Tannins are refined (decant for 1 hour) and the finish is long and bit hot at 14.8%. This wine should be aged a bit longer as it will evolve nicely for the next 5 to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - good value and thus a recommended buy. Tasted July/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
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2009
Marlborough, New Zealand$32.95
The 2009 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Noir, a blend from Wairau and Awatere Valleys that was aged over the winter on lees in French Barriques; has charming aromas of clove, faint smoked meat, cranberry and pomegranate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; balanced with good acidity, soft to refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium to long finish. Sip this one in a presence of good company; drink now – 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Jan/14 at dinner at Rosewater Supper Club tasting Villa Maria wines with winemaker Josh Hammond http://grapeselections.com/villa-maria-dinner/
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