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
Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera 2011, Doc Piedmont
Piedmont, Italy$16.49
The 2011 Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera Piemonte has appealing aromas of lees, cranberry, wood and pine on the nose and cherry and black cherry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward/refreshing acidity, soft tannins (no need for decanting) and a medium finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink now – 2017+ (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 87-88 pts. 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)
Rosewood Select Semillon 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench
Ontario, Canada$18.00
The 2012 Rosewood Semillon has intense, saliva inducing bouquet of citrus, green apple, light minerality and light tropical/passion fruit. It is a medium to full-bodied, off-dry, fruity wine, with checked acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food; since bottled under Stelvin screw cap, this wine should retain its freshness for the next 3+ years, drink now – 2018+. Tasted at Rosewood Semillon Vertical Tasting (http://grapeselections.com/semillon-vertical-tasting-rosewood-estates/) in June/13 and rated it 88-89 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
Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley
California, Usa$49.95
The 2010 St. Michelle Wine Estates Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Napa Valley, has pleasant aromas of sour cherry and eucalyptus. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; BALANCED with refreshing acidity, drying tannins and a medium finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink now to 2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts – recommended for its quality. 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)
La Ferme Du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2011
Rhône, France$0.00
The 2011 Le Ferme Du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes Du Rhône Villages, composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, has appealing aromas of pine, blackberry, black cherry, raspberry and faint vanilla. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium, silky finish. It is food/sipper friendly; it will benefit from cellaring drink now – 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended buy, especially for the price. Interesting fact, LCBO bought 2,700 cases – one of the largest Vintage purchases. Tasted at La Ferme Du Mont luncheon hosted by Stéphane Vedeau 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)
Rosewood Estates Semillon 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
The 2011 Rosewood Estates Semillon has pleasing aromas of green/yellow apple and slightly floral/honey-like notes. It is a light, fruity, perceivably dry wine (off-dry) with forward acidity giving the impression of lower sweetness; and a medium, clean finish. Food friendly and a sipper; drink now – 2017+. Tasted at Rosewood Semillon Vertical Tasting (http://grapeselections.com/semillon-vertical-tasting-rosewood-estates/) in June/13 and rated it 90 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
(0)V
Emiliana Adobe Reserva Merlot 2011, Rapel Valley
Rapel Valley, Chile$13.00
The 2011 Emiliana Adobe Reserva Merlot has appealing aromas of earthy, stewed, red currant, blackberry and blueberry. It is a full-bodied, dry, fruity wine, with forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. It is food friendly; drink now – 2016. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts. 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)G
Chateau Des Charmes Gamay Noir 'droit' St. David's Bench Vineyard 2010, St. David's Bench
Ontario, Canada$16.95
The 2010 Château Des Charmes Gamay Noir ‘DROIT is made from a clone discovered here in Niagara right at Château Des Charmes that can be harvested two weeks later than other Gamay Noir hence allowing for more flavor and complexity. It has pleasing notes of raspberry, strawberry, pepper and earth. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry (though perceptually dry), fruit forward wine, with good acidity, subtle tannins and a finish of short to medium length. It goes well with grilled meats, whether savory or spicy; drink now – 2015. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. 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
Mocine 2011, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$17.25
The 2011 Mocine, composed of Sangiovese, Colorino, Foglia Tonda and Barsaglina grapes of undisclosed proportions, has intense aromas of forest berries - strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, light vanilla and toasted oak. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with checked acidity, tannins that are bit sharp (decant for 30 min) and a long, smooth finish. This serious wine is food friendly or can be enjoyed by itself; though approachable now, it will benefit from cellaring (+2 evolution potential) – drink now - 2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended buy – excellent quality & price. 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)V
Viña Olabarri Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$24.95
The 2004 Viña Olabarri Gran Reserva is composed of 80% Tempranillo and 20% combination of Mazuelo and Graciano and aged in French and American oak for 24 months before bottling. It has intense aromas of thyme, leather, truffle, clove, toasted oak, vanilla and coconut on the nose and dried cherry and black cherry together with vanilla and coconut on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated to aged wine with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long and silky finish. Though can be enjoyed with food, drink on its own; drink now – 2020 (>5 cm cork). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92-93 pts – HIGHLY recommended on both, quality and value – if that wasn’t enough, this wine scored # 27 in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Wines of 2011. Tasted August/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
Beni Di Batasiolo Riserva Barolo 2005, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$39.95
The 2005 Beni Di Batasiolo Riserva Barolo has intense aromas of dried red currant and dried pomegranate, thyme and anise on the nose and dried red currant and pomegranate on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with good acidity, slight alcohol heat, refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a long and silky finish. Drink with light, salty foods, but better yet – sip by itself; drink now – 2018. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended for its value - unusuall to get such a quality Nebbiolo and Reserva for this price. Tasted August/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