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
Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2010
Languedoc, France$20.25
The 2010 Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages, composed of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre of undisclosed proportions and aged in French Oak for 24 months, is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of raspberry, blackberry, strawberry and sweet woody notes. The nose doesn't deliver on the palate, the wine is closed (even upon 2 hour decanting), though tannins are refined and the acidity is balanced, the fruit is rather devoid, perhaps longer decanting will unlock it (2+ hours). The finish is medium to long and smooth, yet mainly tannin/acidity based. This wine has a lot of potential, the fruit is there but not yet accessible. Drink 2015-2025, it has an evolution potential of +2 pts, maybe more. Currently rated at 89-90 pts, with the potential to reach 92 pts or beyond. Tasted Jan/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Ricossa Antica Casa Moscato D'asti 2011, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$15.95
The 2011 Ricossa Antica Casa Moscato D'asti has intense aromas of apricots, tangerine, honey as well as some floral notes that linger on the finish of good length. It is fruity, has medium body, fine bubbles and good acidity that offsets its sweetness. A definite sipper, but excellent with food - especially spicy Asian foods (low alcohol 5.5% and the acidity and effervescence clean the palate); drink now to 2016. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - recommended buy. Tasted Feb/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
Bonterra Pinot Noir 2010, Mendocino County
California, Usa$19.95
The 2010 Bonterra Pinot Noir has attractive aromas of black cherry and toasted oak on the nose, and red currant and dates on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, on the acidic side, fruity wine; with refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a medium finish. It is food friendly; drink now to 2017. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – recommended based on both, value and quality. 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)V
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
Marchesi De' Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2010, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
The 2010 Marchesi De' Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni has intense aromas of toasted oak, vanilla, cherry and blackberry on the nose and earth, cherry, oak, coconut and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with good acidity, chewy, refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a long, wood dominated finish. This is a sipper, though can be drunk with dominant foods; drink 2015-2019. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - good value wine and hence recommended. 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 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley
California, Usa$34.75
The 2010 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of undisclosed amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah and Teroldego – all sourced from the Napa Valley. It has intense, lifted aromas of cherry, black currant, pine, oak and vanilla. It has a medium to full, integrated body, structure that still needs to come together with refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and somewhat lacking acidity, and a medium to long, silky finish. Enjoy as a sipper; drink now to 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended based on quality – on Limited Time Offer for $3 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
Cousiño Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Maipo Valley, Chile$16.45
The 2010 Cousiño Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of strawberry and raspberry on the nose and the palate. It has smooth tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium-strawberry finish. Drink now or hold short term; food friendly. My impression: NICE, 88-89 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)G
Exultet Mysterium 2011, Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$30.00
The Exultet 2012 Mysterium, made entirely of 100% Pinot Noir that was aged in used French Oak barrels for 5 months, has concentrated aromas of honey-dew melon, ripe pear and very subtle wood influence. It is a full-bodied, off-dry, fruity wine with good acidity and a medium finish. Though food friendly, this wine can be sipped by itself; drink young for the next few years. Rated 89 points and recommended for its quality and uniqueness. Tasted at ‘County in the City’ (see http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city/) in Apr/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
Lighthall Progression Sparkling Vidal 2012
Ontario, Canada$20.00
The 2012 Lighthall Progression Sparkling Vidal has captivating notes of light apricots, honey and wet stone minerality. It is a dry, medium bodied, fruity wine with fine effervescence, checked acidity and a medium finish. Pair with creamy cheeses – as a palate cleanser; drink young for the next 2-3 years. Rated 88 pts and tasted at ‘County in the City’ (see http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city/) in Apr/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
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2012
Marlborough, New Zealand$18.95
The 2012 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir, of which 15% was oak aged for 6 months, has intense aromas of ripe dates, light raspberry, smoked meat and band aid. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with forward acidity, subtle tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium to long, oak influenced finish. Enjoy on-its-own or pair with any non-dominant food; drink now - 2016+. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted in May/13 at 'Tasted at New Zealand Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-wine-fair/.
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