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
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
Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva 2008, Dop
Puglia, Italy$14.95
The 2008 Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of pine-cedar-oak (as decanting progresses), clove and faint liquorice on the nose and red currant and pomegranate on the palate. It has a sharp acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a bit hot, medium to long finish. Drink now or hold for 5+ years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - not a food friendly wine, instead enjoy by itself or with some hard cheeses. Tasted Apr/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
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
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
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
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2009, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$25.00
The 2009 Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos, made from the Mencia grape (also known as Jaen in Portugal) ranked #26 on the 2011 Wine Spectator Top 100 wines. It is light to medium bodied, fruity wine with nice aromas of red currant, cherry, toasted oak and hints of fresh coffee fruit and prune as well as strawberry that emerges quite late. It has refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a soft finish of medium length that surprisingly is not alcoholic (as it has 15%). It is still young, cellar for 5-10 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - with potential to get a higher score in the future. A recommended buy. 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
Castello Di Monastero Chianti Classico 2006, Docg, Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy$24.95
This Chianti offers aromas of vanilla, pine and cherry and is aromatic, smooth and silky. It could use couple of years in the cellar to be at its peak, but it is quite good now. Tannins were noticeable and hence 1 hour in decanter is suggested. The body is light to medium and the finish was medium to long. Overall impression: BEAUTIFUL. Tasted Feb/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
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
álvaro Palacios Camins Del Priorat 2010
Priorat, Spain$25.95
The 2010 Álvaro Palacios Camins Del Priorat is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of red currant and blackberry. It has a forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. Drink now or cellar for 5+ years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts – currently the LCBO just nearly sold out the 2008 vintage.
Tasted during 'The Wines of Alvaro Palacios' tasting organized by WineAlign on March 19th, 2012.
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)A
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
