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
La Rosa La Capitana Carménere 2009, Cachapoal Valley
Chile$13.95
The 2009 La Rosa La Capitana Carménere is medium bodied with nice aromas of integrated bilberry, black cherry, cedar, vanilla and faint green pepper. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for longer than half hour) and the finish is chalky, smooth and medium to long. Best to drink now and for the next few years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90.5 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted Jan/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/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
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
Domaine De La Côte De L'Ange Châteauneuf-du-pape 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$37.95
The 2007 Domaine De La Côte De L'ange Châteauneuf Du Pape is a medium to full bodied wine, with nice aromas of integrated bilberry, blueberry, liquorice and oak. It has soft to refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min), nice acidity and long and smooth finish. It is good to drink now, but will benefit from aging for at least 2 years and up to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts. 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)V
Cedarcreek Cabernet Merlot 2007, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$23.95
This medium bodied 2007 Cedarcreek Estate Cabernet/Merlot really puts the meaning into the word blend. It consists of 47% Cab. Sauv, 28% Merlot, 22% Cab. Franc, 1.4% Pinot Noir, 0.5% Malbec, 0.4% Syrah and 0.3% Petit Verdot. One would expect a fullish body with a nice bouquet, but this wine is medium bodied with faint, FRUITY to integrated notes of red currant and coconut. The acidity is notably refreshing, tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. Good to drink now and I don't see the point in aging. My impression: NICE, 87 pts. 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
D'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$39.90
The 2008 D'arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz is a medium to full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of bilberry, black currant, subtle strawberry, oak and vanilla on the nose and chocolate, oak, coconut and vanilla on the palate. It has a good structure, refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long finish. Doesn`t seem to be alcoholic though at 15%. This sipper can be aged for another 5-10 years standing up (screw cap). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts.
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
Prado Rey Crianza 2006, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$20.95
The 2006 Prado Rey Crianza, aged in American oak for 12 months followed by 3 more in French oak, is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED, with nice aromas of black cherry, prune, coconut and vanilla. The structure is a bit disconnected, with refined tannins (decant for 30 min); the finish is long. Drink 2014/15-2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - watch out for some sediment. 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
Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2007, Igt Rosso Dei Colli Della Toscana Centrale
Tuscany, Italy$27.95
The 2007 Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto is a medium bodied, nicely aromatic, INTEGRATED to aged wine. On the nose, it is dominated by cedar and leather, whereas the palate senses black cherry and faint coconut. It still has quite tight tannins that are in balance with acidity (decant between 1 to 2 hours, but not any longer) and the finish is long and smooth. I love tannins, so for me it is good to drink now, yet it still has the potential to evolve (mostly by mellowing out the tannins) and should be at its best around 2014 till 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - I definitely recommend this wine to those who enjoy tannins. Tasted Apr/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
Carmen Gran Reserva Syrah 2009, Apalta
Colchagua Valley, Chile$17.95
The 2009 Carmen Gran Reserva (100%) Syrah, which was aged for 10 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels, has intense aromas of eucalyptus, stewed prunes, vanilla and oak. It is a full to thick bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; balanced – with checked acidity, chalky mouthfeel, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a long finish. This one is a sipper: drink now or cellar till 2020+ as it has an evolution potential of +1 or 2 pts. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts (+1 or 2) – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted at Wines of Chile 2013 tasting in October/13 - http://grapeselections.com/wines-of-chile-2013/
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
Planets De Prior Pons 2008, Doq Priorat
Priorat, Spain$22.95
The 2008 Planets De Prior Pons is composed of 40% Cariñena, 40% Garnacha, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Syrah and was aged for 12 months in French and American oak. It is a medium bodied, integrated wine with intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, figs, prune, dark chocolate, leather, oak and vanilla. It has a good fruit/tannin/acidity balance, grippy tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a long, smooth and silky finish. Food friendly, but sipper in my view; drink now-2023+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - recommended buy/amazing value/grab by the case. 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
Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$13.75
The 2010 Château Des Charmes 'Old Vines' Riesling, harvested from 20-30 year-old vines, is a light bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of green/yellow apple and wet-pebble minerality. It is dry, has a refreshing acidity and a medium finish. Drink slightly warmer - around 10°C with food or simply by itself. My impression: quite NICE, 88 pts – well priced. Tasted Jan/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