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
D'alfonso Del Sordo Guado San Leo Uva Di Troia 2006, Igt Daunia
Puglia, Italy$17.95
The 2006 D'alfonso Del Sordo Guado San Leo Uva Di Troia, aged in barriques for 12 months, has pleasing aromas of black cherry, cherry, dates, wood and vanilla on the nose and cherry, dates, lees and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with good acidity, refined, yet subtly dusty, tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium to long finish. It is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink now and for the next 3-5 years (5 cm cork). My impression: NICE, 89 pts – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted in Jul/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
Sperling Chardonnay 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$26.00
The 2012 Sperling Chardonnay has mouthwatering aromas of green apple, yellow apple and butter. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity and a medium to long, oily finish. Enjoy this wine with food or share with friends; drink for the next few years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – recommended for its freshness and quality. Tasted in Jul/14 at 'Barrels & Bonfires (i4C 2014)' http://grapeselections.com/i4c-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
Castello Di Neive Barbaresco 2011, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$19.80
The 2011 Castello Di Neive Barbaresco, one of the most affordable Italian Nebbiolos out there, has elegant aromas of red currant, dates, wood, clove and fennel on the nose and red currant, cranberry and toasted wood on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with forward acidity, drying tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium to long finish. This is a food friendly and sipping wine; best 2015/16 – 2020 (evolution potential +1) (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 88(+1) pts – recommended for its value. Tasted in Sep/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
Château Des Charmes Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$17.75
The 2012 Château des Charmes ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet/Merlot, made with both Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon as well as Merlot and aged in French Oak for 9 months; has expressive aromas of toasted oak, smoke, prune, plum and light vanilla in the glass and toasted oak, vanilla and dates-red-currant-black-cherry trio in the mouth. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with crisp acidity, dusty tannins and a long finish. It is made well to be compatible with food or simply enjoyed on its own; though it would benefit from further cellaring for a year or two (evolution potential +1), it is ready to drink now and will be to 2018/20 (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 (+1 EP) pts – recommended for both, quality and value. Tasted in Nov/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
Ontañón Crianza 2010, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$16.95
The 2010 Ontañón Crianza, a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha aged in American Oak for 12 months, has tempting aromas of sweet spice, coconut, vanilla, toasted oak and black cherry on the nose as well as palate. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and an extra-long and smooth finish. This is a quite oak influenced wine - just what is expected from fine Rioja, and compliments any strong flavoured dish or is very enjoyable as a standalone sipper, best 2017-2025 – evolution potential +1 (long cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 (EP+1) pts – recommended for both its quality and value – STOCK UP. Tasted in Jan/00.
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
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2012, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$68.95
The 2012 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, sourced from the Russian River Valley, has captivating aromas of cigar box, oak, almond, vanilla and black cherry on the nose and black cherry and lightly stewed dates on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry/dry, fruity wine; with checked/lacking acidity, refined tannins and a long finish. It is a sipping wine; drink now – 2017. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted in Apr/14 at 'California Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
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
Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013, Livermore Valley, California
California, Usa$19.95
The 2013 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay, 50% of which was aged in in neutral French, American and Eastern European oak for 7 months, has rich and creamy aromas of butter, vanilla, lemon and green/yellow apples on the nose as well as the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with refreshing acidity and a medium finish. It is a food friendly wine; drink now and for the next 3-5 years (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 89 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in June and again in September/15.
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
Poderi Colla Dardi Le Rose Bussia Barolo 2007, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$51.95
The 2007 Poderi Colla Dardi Le Rose Bussia Barolo is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with appealing aromas of yogurty red fruit, cranberry, oak and liquorice. It is on the tannic side (decant for 30+ min) and the finish is long. Drink by itself (not food friendly) from 2015/16-2020. My impression: NICE, 90 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
Nekeas El Chaparral De Vega Sindoa Old Vines Grenache 2010, Do Navarra
Navarra, Spain$14.20
The 2010 El Chaparral has intense notes of cooked red currant, blueberry, dates, cedar and earthiness at opening. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1-2 hours) and a medium, yet smooth finish. Drink with food or on its own; drink 2014-2018. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - recommended based on quality and price. Tasted June/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
Valle Las Acequias Oak Malbec 2007, Estate Don Angelino, Medrano, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$18.95
The 2007 Valle Las Acequias Oak Malbec, aged in French Oak barrels for 10 months, has intense aromas of prune on the nose and strawberry and raspberry on the palate. It is a full bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly or can be enjoyed on its own; drink now to 2020 and beyond. My impression: NICE, 89-90 pts. Tasted Jan/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