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
Jean Paul Brun Côte De Brouilly 2009, Ac
Beaujolais, France$18.95
The 2009 Jean Paul Brun Côte De Brouilly is FRUITY to integrated, light bodied wine, with nice aromas of yogurty strawberry, prune and caramel. It has subtle tannins (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium and a bit hot. It is good to drink now and should be for the next 1-2 years (not to be aged). My impression: NICE, 88 pts - it is quite impressive that the LCBO is able to charge $19 for Beaujolais, no matter how nice. Tasted Aug/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
Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenère 2009, Peumo Vineyard, Rapel Valley
Rapel Valley, Chile$17.00
The 2009 Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenère is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine, with nice aromas of blackberry, cedar, green pepper and vanilla. It is tannic (decant 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium to long. It is good to drink now, but will benefit from aging as the structure is still a bit disconnected, drink 2013/4-2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - though a recommended buy, I cannot say it's the best value for the buck. Tasted Sept/11, revisited 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
Chapillon Cuvée Harmonie Petit Verdot/Tannat 2006, Do Aragón
Spain$14.95
For my liking, this wine was too acidic with strong taste of prune. Tannins were subtle, but the wine needed to open for an hour before it got noticeably better. Body was light to medium and the finish was medium and rustic. My impression: DRINKABLE BUT WHY and should cost $10. Tasted Jan/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
Heredad De Baroja Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$24.95
The 2001 Heredad De Baroja Gran Reserva is a medium bodied, aged wine, with intense aromas of cherry, pomegranate, leather, pine and oak on the nose and dried red berries, leather and vanilla on the palate. It is bit acidic, has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long finish. Drink now -2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - excellent 11 year old Rioja for great price - recommended buy. Tasted May/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
Exultet Estates 'the Blessed' Chardonnay 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$35.00
The 2010 Exultet Estates 'The Blessed' Chardonnay is a medium bodied, fruity wine with intense aromas of apple, supple oak and sweet vanilla. It has some limestone minerality, focused structure with good acidity and a long, clean finish. It is food friendly as well as an excellent standalone sipper; drink it now or hold for few years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts. Tasted Sept/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
Ontañón Reserva 2004
Rioja, Spain$25.95
This 2004 Ontañón Reserva, composed of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano that was aged in American Oak for 24 months, has intense aromas of clove, fennel, cigar box, tobacco leaf cherry and sour cherry. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, aged wine; with refreshing acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long to extra-long, spicy finish. Though food friendly, enjoy this beauty on its own; drink now – 2017/18 (fruit is drying out). My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 92+ pts – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted Feb/14.
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
Le Clos Jordanne Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench
Ontario, Canada$45.00
This wine is light bodied (typical to Pinot Noirs), with nicely aromatic, integrated fruit, composed of raspberry, violets, oak and chocolate notes. It is slightly acidic, with subtle to refined tannins and a medium to long finish. Even though this wine can be cellared for some time, I am not sure it will evolve as the fruit will only dissipate and the woody notes may become too pronounced (not what I am looking for). Drink now for the next few years. My impression: NICE to 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
Château Des Moines 2009, Lalande De Pomerol
Bordeaux, France$21.95
On April 28th/12, the Vintages released 2009 Château Des Moines, however portion of the batch contained bottles that were labelled as the 2008 vintage. I purchased two bottles of the 2008 vintage, and since it is not clear whether it is actually the 2008 vintage or mislabelled 2009 vintage (personal conversation with an LCBO product consultant), I therefore review it under both vintages.
The 2008 Château Des Moines (on the label) is composed of 72% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec (same as 2009) and was aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of red berries, dark chocolate, oak and vanilla on the nose; and green red currant, vanilla and coconut on the palate. It has a good structure with nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long finish. Drink now or hold for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91-92 pts - I would highly recommend it if it was still available, though there is a possibility of a re-release in the near future. 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
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
Mendel Malbec 2009, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$27.95
The 2009 Mendel Malbec is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of toasted oak, dark chocolate and violets on the nose and black currant and vanilla on the palate. It has a good structure, tannins that are still quite firm (decant for 1+ hour), nice food friendly acidity and a long, mineral finish. Even though it’s enjoyable now, it will greatly benefit from being tucked away for at least 2 years, drink 2014/15-2020. My impression (after decanting): Very NICE, 91 pts - an excellent example showing the essence of Malbec as a single varietal. Buy 4 botttles, tuck them away for 3 years and compare them to others twice the price. Tasted Apr/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @ www.grapeselections.com
or
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V