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
Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007, Doc
Veneto, Italy$42.95
The 2007 Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella is composed of 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 10% of combined Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella; picked from 20+ year old vines and aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 2-3 years before being bottled. It is a full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, mushrooms and faint oak and vanilla at opening, while longer opening reveals notes of red currant, cranberry and slight greenness. It has an intense fruit, good structure with refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and checked acidity; the finish is long and silky. Very food friendly, but I recommend sipping it by itself for full appreciation; tuck few bottles away and drink them now-2020, as this wine has evolution potential. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91+ pts - recommended buy well worth the price, nice treat from the LCBO Essentials. Tasted Jan/13.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-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
Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Maipo Valley
Chile$17.95
This reserva Cab has a medium body and is nicely aromatic with bold, fruity notes of black currant. The tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium and chalky. Drink now for the next few years. My impression: quite NICE, 86 pts (due to lack of complexity). This wine reminds me of a fruit juice - there is a time and place for it, however it should cost no more than $15, if not less. 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
Maetierra Dominum Quatro Pagos 2005, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$19.95
The 2005 Maetierra Dominum Quatro Pagos Reserva is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with nice aromas of cherry, blackberry, vanilla and sandalwood. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is long and smooth. Drink now or cellar for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - highly recommended - excellent wine for very good price. 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
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
Montecillo Reserva 2006, Rioja
Spain$17.95
The 2007 Montecillo Reserva is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of sour cherry, creamy oak, coconut and vanilla. It has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 15 min), good acidity and a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly or can be sipped by itself; drink now - 2016. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - well priced when on sale; recommended buy. Tasted Jan/13.
The 2006 Montecillo Reserva from the general section is medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated raspberry, coconut, oak and black pepper and vanilla spices. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is long and smooth and silky. It is at its prime and should retain its complexity for another 5 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a well crafted wine that I would highly recommend. Tasted Jan/11 and again Dec/11.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)G
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
Rustenberg Rm Nicholson 2009, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
The 2009 Rustenberg Rm Nicholson, composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Shiraz, balance of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and aged for 16 months in French and American oak. It is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, cherry, oak and vanilla. It is a bit acidic and on the tannic side (decant for 30-60 min), though the finish is long. Ackward with food, it should be drunk within the next 5 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Nov/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
Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenère 2005, Cachapoal Valley, Peumo Vineyard, Block 27, Unfiltered
Chile$29.95
The 2005 Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenère is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberries, leather, cedar, coconut and vanilla. Despite the high alcohol, this wine has a nice structure with refreshing acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long and silky finish. It is ready to drink and still has plenty of life left for at least another 5-10 years (high alcohol, good acidity, good cork). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91.5 pts - would recommend if still available (luckily my friend just found it in the return cart at the LCBO). Tasted Nov/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