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
Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$21.95
The 2011 Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay has appealing aromas of light citrus and light apricots. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity and a medium, clean finish. Drink with food, drink now – 2016. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted September/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/mission-hill-winery-of-the-year/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Mission Hill Quatrain 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$50.00
The 2009 Mission Hill Quatrain, composed of 35% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc that was aged for 15 months in French Oak, is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of strawberry/raspberry, black cherry, cedar, thyme, coconut and vanilla. It has a good structure, is fruit forward, has refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a long finish. This wine is meant to be enjoyed by itself; though ready to drink now, it will benefit from cellaring as it has an evolution potential – drink 2014/15-2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended buy. 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
Paolo Conterno Riva Del Bric Barolo 2008, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$39.95
The 2008 Paolo Conterno Riva Del Bric Barolo has appealing notes of cedar, anise and pomegranate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with forward acidity, good tannic structure (decant for30+ min) and a long, silky finish. This wine should be enjoyed on its own; drink from now till 2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91-92 pts - recommended for its quality. Tasted May/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
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay 2010
California, Usa$25.95
The 2010 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay, sourced mainly from cooler regions in southern Napa Valley and aged in French oak after fermentation, has nice notes of subtle tangerine, yellow apple and subtle oak. It is light bodied, acid forward and has a finish of short to medium length. It is food friendly, drink now or for the next couple of years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts – on Limited Time Offer for $2 off until April 1st/13. Tasted March/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/lcbo-deals/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Rosehall Run J C R Rosehall Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$29.95
The 2010 Rosehall Run J C R Rosehall Vineyard Chardonnay, aged in French Oak, has intense aromas of roasted coffee and oak. It is a medium to full bodied, integrated wine with tart acidity and a long, oak-dominated finish. This is a sipper for lovers of (heavily) oaked Chardonnays. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted April/13 at WineAlign Cru tasting.
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
Stratus Petit Verdot 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.00
The 2010 Stratus Petit Verdot (pre-release) has intense, smooth aromas of cranberry, blueberry, and black cherry as well as limestone minerality. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, grippy tannins and a long and smooth finish. Enjoy this one on-its-own; drink now to 2022+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Mar/14 at Cuvée en Route http://grapeselections.com/cuvee-2014/
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
Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso 2010
Veneto, Italy$15.00
The 2010 Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso, composed of Corvina and Sangiovese, has intense aromas of black cherry, black currant, oak and vanilla on the nose and dates, black cherry and vanilla on the palate. It is a full bodied, dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a smooth finish of medium to long length. It is food friendly or enjoy on its own; drink now-2018+. My impression: NICE, 89-90 pts – recommended for its value. Tasted July/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
Chilcas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$17.95
The 2009 Chilcas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in French Oak for 8 months, has intense aromas of eucalyptus, pomegranate, milky blackberry, oak, clove and light vanilla. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with good acidity, grippy tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a long and silky finish. It is food friendly as well as a sipper; drink now and for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts (+1 evolution potential) – highly 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
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2010
Marlborough, New Zealand$59.95
The 2010 Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir, aged in French Oak (25% new) for 16 months, shows captivating aromas of thyme, meatiness, pomegranate, red currant and light wood and vanilla. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with notable, forward acidity, grippy tannins and a long finish. At this point, it is a food friendly wine; it will benefit from cellaring for the tannins and acidity to come together – drink 2016-2020++. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – this wine won more than a handful of top awards and accolades. Tasted Jan/14 at dinner at Rosewater Supper Club tasting Villa Maria wines with winemaker Josh Hammond http://grapeselections.com/villa-maria-dinner/
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
Château Pipeau 2010, Ac St Emilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France$37.95
The 2010 Grand Cru Château Pipeau has intense notes of black cherry, pine, cigar box, clove, vanilla and faint leather. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with good acidity, grippy tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long to extra-long finish. Enjoy this wine on-its-own; drink now – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 92+ pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Nov/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