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
Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Coonawarra, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$23.95
The Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Coonawarra region was medium bodied with fruity aromas of black currant, black cherry, cedar and subtle chocolate. The tannins were refined to tannic (decant for 1 hour) and the finish was medium and slightly acidic. This wine should evolve nicely for 5 more years. My impression: NICE, 87.5 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
Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin 2006, Igt Rosso Del Veronese
Veneto, Italy$26.95
The 2006 Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin, composed of 80% Corvina and 20% Rondinella, is light to medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated cherry, almond and prominent wood notes. It has dusty tannins (decant for 30 to 60 min) and nice and long finish. The wine can age for the next 5 or so years with the possibility of leathery note evolution. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - I would recommend this wine even though it’s a bit $$ for what you are getting. Tasted Feb/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
Sogrape Vila Regia Reserva 2006
Portugal$11.95
It is about time I rated this wine, as I am a huge fan of the 2002 reserva (do a search for it here). I tried this wine twice before, but was unable to rate it due to circumstance. So finally, this medium bodied, fruity wine has nice aromas (1 pt out of 2) of black cherry, black currant, vanilla and pine. It has refined tannins (decant for 15 min, but is at its best between 1 to 1.5 hours after opening) and a medium to long finish with subtle notes of violets. This wine is good to drink now or can be aged (for sure it will evolve nicely) for 5 or more years. My impression: Quite NICE - buy, buy, buy, THERE IS NOTHING BETTER AT THIS PRICE RANGE. 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)G
Concha Y Toro Trio Reserva Merlot/Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Rapel Valley
Chile$14.95
This nicely aromatic, full bodied, blended wine has aromas of black cherry, prune and smoke. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. I am not too impressed with the fake cork, so I wouldn't want to age it for too long. Overall, nice wine for reasonable price, even though it didn't quite do it for me. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL. 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
Bodegas Guelbenzu Azul 2006, Vinos De La Tierra
Spain$18.95
This medium bodied wine has integrated notes of black berries, cedar and dark chocolate. Wine was acidic and had dusty tannins (decant for 30 min or longer) and short to medium, frankly uneventful finish. Another thing I did not appreciate and I must mention is the fake blue plastic cork. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 86.5 pts - NOT a recommended buy. Considering the other reviews, I am a bit concerned whether the bottle we had was somehow off even though it was not spoiled - oh well, will not try again. Tasted in Sept/10 during Spanish wine tasting - the second least popular wine in the line up.
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
Navarro Correas Alegoría Gran Reserva Malbec 2007, Mendoza
Argentina$19.95
This medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine has aromas pine, vanilla, cherry and bilberry. It is nicely aromatic, smooth, silky and a bit chalky. Tannins are refined so the wine needs 30 min to really open up, and the finish is long. It is best to drink now to 2012 and should keep for up to 10 years. This wine could easily sell for $25 without complaints. One comment I have that I must mention is that perhaps the vanilla sweetness is a bit overpowering – probably due to 18 month French oak aging; but since I am a fan of vanilla, this comment is not a complaint. My impression: somewhere between NICE and BEAUTIFUL and a great buy. Tasted Mar/10.
One thing puzzles me though, LCBO has placed price stickers on the bottle, which is usually done when someone returns a product, and they have crossed out the barcode.
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
Ogier Heritages Cotes Du Rhone 2007
Rhône, France$14.95
This light to medium bodied wine from LCBO's general section, has fruity to INTEGRATED notes of blackberry, bilberry, prune and vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (best to decant for more than one hour) and the finish is medium to long. Cellaring is an option and worth it for up to 5 years. My impression: NICE TO BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - a recommended buy, especially for this price. Tasted in Aug/10 during French 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)G
Jackson Triggs Proprietors' Grand Reserve Merlot 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$20.25
This medium bodied VQA Merlot has nice aromas of FRUITY to integrated raspberry, red currant, cedar, green pepper and vanilla notes. The tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. It will benefit from aging for additional 5 years, drink 2012-2015. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - a bit expensive. Tasted June/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
La Cova Dels Vins Ombra 2006, Doc Montsant
Spain$13.95
This medium bodied wine has nice aromas of vanilla and subtle notes of black cherry and pine. Its evolution stage is still a bit fruity but more so on the integrated side. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium to long (once decanted for more than 1 hr) and slightly metallic. I feel that this wine is somewhat closed and decanting doesn't help, perhaps ageing might. I can think of couple other wines with almost identical composition but more rewarding. Try LCBO# 522219 - Cathedral Cellar Merlot 2006 for same price or LCBO# 28928 - Navarro Correas Alegoría Gran Reserva Malbec 2007, which is $3 more expensive but well worth it. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL. 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
Bonterra Syrah 2006, Menocino County, Made From Organically Grown Grapes
California, Usa$19.95
Nice Californian Syrah. This FRUITY to integrated, full bodied wine has notes of raspberry, red currant, blackberry and vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 15 min) and the finish is silky with a medium to long length. It is good now till 2013/14 (don't let the fruit dissipate). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a recommended buy. 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