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
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
Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Santa Ynez Valley
California, Usa$16.90
The 2010 Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has deep aromas of strawberry, blackberry, toasted oak, vanilla and coconut. It is medium to full bodied, integrated, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a smooth finish of long length. Drink now – 2020; enjoy as a sipper or with bold meals. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended based both on quality and value – widely available in the General Section of LCBO. Tasted March/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)G
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
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
Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2010, Barossa
South Australia, Australia$19.95
The 2010 Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz, sourced from 20 year old vines and then aged in French Oak for 12 months; has appealing aromas of lees, blackberry and black cherry on the nose and blackberry, raspberry, coconut, vanilla and oak on the palate. It is a full bodied, extra-dry/dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. Drink with food or sip on its own; drink now – 2018+. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted at Australia Today 2014 Trade show http://grapeselections.com/australian-wine/ in 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)G
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
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
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
Coto De Imaz Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$20.95
The 2005 Coto De Imaz Reserva, made of 100% Tempranillo and aged for 12 months in American oak; is a light to medium bodied wine, with intense aromas of integrated sandalwood, vanilla, faint leather and cherry. It needs about an hour to decant, but once it does, the acidity mellows out and becomes nicely balanced with refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. It is at its peak now as the fruit is starting to diminish, but still should last for another 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – a recommended buy as this is one of tastier Riojas under $30. Tasted Apr/12.
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