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
Rivera Cappellaccio Aglianico Riserva 2004, Doc Castel Del Monte
Puglia, Italy$18.95
This dark, ruby red wine is full bodied, fruity to integrated and with fuller aromas of blackberry, black cherry and lighter notes of pine, vanilla and oak. This wine is great to drink now and should remain until at least 2015, tannins are refined but near 1 hour decanting is necessary for the flavours to come out. It is not very aromatic, has a medium to long finish and reminds me of a nice Ripasso of similar value, due to its full taste originating from grape skins. Reading other reviewer’s comments, it is clear to me that either the bottle I had was quite different or the wine is evolving quickly as I have not perceived animal nor “bretty” notes. My impression: NICE. Tasted Mar/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
Ontañón Crianza 2005, Doca Rioja
Spain$16.95
This light to medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine is acidic at the beginning and really needs to open up for more than an hour before being quite nice and flavourful. Aromas consist of raspberry, strawberry, red currant as well as oak and vanilla. The finish is medium and the wine can benefit (not much) from aging for up to two more years. My impression: NICE, especially at this price. Tasted Jan/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
Can Bonastre Crianza 2006, Do Penedès
Spain$17.30
So I decided to give this wine another try - one on one. I must say that having several hours to analyze two glasses of the same wine gives a completely different feeling than the wine tasting allows (kind of a common sense). Even though I filled another rating table, I concur with my previous, below mentioned rating. There are a couple of things that I wasn’t able to notice during the tasting: the finish becomes long when opened long enough and the high yet pleasant and balanced acidity makes this the most unusual Spanish wine I have ever tasted. Also, this wine will definitely benefit from aging for 2 to 5 years and I am still undecided whether I should buy a couple of bottles see how it will evolve. My impression is still NICE to BEAUTIFUL.
I find it unusual to see this 45% Merlot, 40% Cab. Sauv. & 15% Syrah blend coming from Spain - none of the usual Spanish grapes: Tempranillo, Grenache or Monastrell. This medium bodied FRUITY to integrated wine has nice aromas of red currant, blueberry, oak and vanilla. The tannins were refined to tannic (decant for 30 min) and the finish was medium to long. This wine can be cellared for 5 or so more years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89.5 pts - recommended buy. Tasted in Sept/10 during Spanish wine tasting, overall well received.
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
Concha Y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Carmenère 2007, Rapel Valley, Las Pataguas Vineyard
Chile$15.95
This wine is dominated by bilberry and blackberry followed by pine, vanilla and green pepper notes (once it opens). This integrated, yet fruity wine is aromatic, chalky and a bit earthy/smoky. It is good to drink now or may nicely evolve up to 5 years. It has refined tannins (decant for 30 min), medium to full body and a medium finish. This wine should be consumed within 2 hours as overwhelming green pepper notes emerge. My impression: BEAUTIFUL and I am glad I have several bottles in my cellar. Tasted Feb/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
Basile Cartacanta 2007, Doc Montecucco Rosso
Tuscany, Italy$15.55
This Tuscan has a nice aroma, light body and integrated notes of light fruit compote, pine and slight vanilla and Earth notes. Tannins are refined and the wine should be decanted in the glass, since the aromas quickly fade away (around 5 min). The finish is medium to long, but not extremely pleasing (not what I would expect from Tuscan wines). The wine has a slight acidic and metallic taste. It is at its best now – I don’t think there is a point to age this wine as it will not evolve, instead it may degenerate. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE. This wine would be a nice house wine if it cost under $10 and in that case I would purchase it again. Tasted Apr/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
Terranoble Gran Reserva Carmenère 2007, Maule Valley
Chile$19.95
This medium bodied Carmenere has aromas of blackberry, smoke, Earth as well as pleasant notes of green pepper. The tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium with some heat. It has the potential to evolve for the next 5 years, but can already be drunk now. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 88 pts. Tasted May/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
Château Bégadanet 2005, Ac Médoc
Bordeaux, France$17.95
The 2005 Château Bégadanet is medium bodied, nicely aromatic, integrated wine. The nose reveals cedar, toasted oak and vanilla whereas the palate shows red currants and cherry. Tannins are refined to tannic (open for 30 min to 1 hour), acidity is moderate and food/sipping friendly and the finish is medium and smooth. It is ready to drink now or can be cellared for up to 5 years. Watch out for tartrate crystals and sediment. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - highly recommended wine. Tasted June/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
Navarro Correas Allegoria Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Mendoza, Argentina$19.95
Tasted the 2005 vintage still readily available. When in decanter, this full bodied, fruity Cabernet has nice aromas of black currant, black cherry and vanilla, but as soon as it is in the glass, it's a bit alcoholic and the scents are of pronounced green pepper (which was unexpected for Cabernet Sauvignon and was quite unwelcomed). The tannins were subtle to refined (decant for 30 or more min) and the finish was medium. My impression: overall NICE, 88.5 pts - would not purchase it again as I feel the wine is overpriced and the green pepper notes were a bit intrusive. I however do recommend the Malbec version. Tasted July/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
Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Carmenère 2007, Rapel Valley
Chile$18.95
The 2007 Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Carmenère is medium to full bodied with nice aromas of fruity to INTEGRATED red and black currants, oak and green pepper. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min) and finish is medium and a bit chalky. This wine is at its peak and can be drunk for the next five or so years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - wine that you won't go wrong with, but for this price or a buck or two more, you can get much better Carmenère. 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
Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz 2007, Barossa, South Australia
Australia$28.95
The Gold Label Shiraz 2007 from Barossa Valley was full bodied with fruity aromas of blackberry, prune, violets, cedar and green pepper notes. Tannins were refined and the finish medium. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted June23/10 at Wine Align Wolf Blass Premium Wine Tasting event.
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