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
Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru 1999, Ac
Burgundy, France$44.95
What an awesome opportunity! An 11.5 year old Pinot Noir for under $30. This light bodied, aged wine has nice, yet subtle aromas of raspberry, red currant, earth and leather. Tannins are refined (decant for more than 30 min), acidity is balanced and the finish is long. Not to cellar this whine, instead, drink it now (I sensed faint notes of mold - probably an unlucky bottle as the critics would have picked up on it). My impression: NICE, 89 pts - I would recommend to get one or two bottles and to drink it in a short term. Tasted Nov/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
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough
New Zealand$19.95
I read the reviews and decided to give this one a try. The 2009 Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir is light bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine with nice aromas of rosehip, chocolate and oak on the nose and light raspberry on the palate. Tannins are subtle and the finish is medium to long (decant for 1 hour) and a bit sweet. Drink now or hold upright (screw cap) for 1 to 2 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - liked, but you can get as complex (if you age it for couple of years in a bottle with a real cork) Pinot Noir from our backyard – the Konzelnmann winery from Niagara-on-the-Lake for under $15 - especially good vintages 2005, 2007, 2009. 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)G
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
Haywood Los Chamizal Vineyard Zinfandel 2006, Sonoma Valley
California, Usa$29.95
This medium bodied, slightly sweet 2006 Haywood Los Chamizal Vineyard Zinfandel has nice integrated aromas of raspberry, black cherry, cedar, subtle green pepper, oak, coconut and vanilla (that emerges after one hour of decanting). Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for more than an hour for all the complexity to emerge) and the finish is medium to long. It is best to drink now, despite its ability to evolve for the next few or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - nicely crafted wine that surely will please even the dry-wine-lovers. Tasted Dec/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
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
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
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
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Colchagua Valley, Apalta Vineyard
Chile$24.95
This medium bodied, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (from the Apalta vineyard that produces higher quality wines) has an intense bouquet of fruity to INTEGRATED red currant, prune, green pepper and toasted oak notes. It is tannic with dusty tannins (decant for longer than 1 hour) and the finish is medium to long with some heat (14.5% alcohol). This wine should be cellared for some time to allow further maturing and integration of its components - it should be at its best around year 2013 to 2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - the value to $ ratio is however unfavourable as for this price I can get some high quality Tuscans, after all there is no reason why Chilean wine should be this expensive. I will keep the other two bottles to evolve. Tasted Oct/10.
A side note: it was funny to see the Lang and O'Leary exchange hosting the granddaughter of Alexandre Grand Marnier.
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