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
Castello Di Neive Barbaresco 2006, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$19.80
This value Barbaresco has a light body and integrated yet very subtle notes of raspberry, pine and liquorice. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is short. It is a quite disappointing Barbaresco even if compared to other cheaper Nebbiolo grapes. This wine is surprisingly un-aromatic. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL. 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
Burgo Viejo Reserva 2001
Rioja, Spain$18.95
This senior wine is light to medium bodied with strong aromas of aged leather, liquorice, light berries and a combination of cedar, green pepper and oak. Tannins are refined (best to decant for more than 1 hour) and finish is medium. I think there is perhaps up to 2 years of life left in this wine. My impression: NICE, 90 pts (due to complexity), not recommended though as I think the aged aromas are a tad overwhelming, its either that or I may have purchased a bit corked bottle and perhaps I should give this another try. 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
Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Oak Aged
Argentina$15.95
I am a real fan of the 2007 Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (which I rated at 91 pts). Even though this wine (2008 vintage) is not as complex, it still offers a good value. It is medium bodied with FRUITY to integrated aromas of black currant, blackberry, leather and coconut. The tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium and smooth and silky. It definitely has the potential to evolve in the cellar (2014/15?) and am keeping an eye on the stocks, so that I can reassess if I should stock up on it. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 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
Terredora Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio Rosso 2007, Doc Vesuvio
Campania, Italy$18.95
Back in March, the LCBO had 7 bottles of the 2007 vintage (of which I purchased two) even though their inventory said this to be the 2005 vintage. When questioned, they stuck by their story - I suppose that for whatever reason they released these bottles prior to the actual release and so at least I had a sneak peak. I have already reviewed it in the 2005 vintage, but since I tried it again, why not to review it again. This light to medium bodied wine has integrated notes of red currant, cherry, green pepper and vanilla. Tannins are dusty and tannic (decant for 1 to 2 hours) and the finish is medium to long. It has the potential to age nicely for ten more years, but is good to drink now (that is if you like tannicy wines). My impression: quite NICE, 89.5 pts - I recommend it as an unusual wine. Tasted June/10.
My previous review:
I am not sure if it is a mistake or not, but the wine I tried was a 2007 vintage. LCBO has not carried 2005 even though they post it, nonetheless I am reviewing the 2007 vintage. This light bodied wine has integrated notes of cherry and vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 1 hr or longer) and the finish is medium to long. It has the potential to evolve for a few more years at least. My impression: very 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
Domaine Les Yeuses Les épices Syrah 2007, Vins De Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$15.95
This nicely aromatic, Gold Medal winner has a medium to full body with FRUITY to integrated notes of strawberry, red currant, blackberry, violets and green pepper/brettyness. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - would recommend it to lovers of typical French reds if it was still widely available. Tasted in Aug/10 during French wine tasting, well liked.
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
Marques De Caceres Rioja Crianza Red 2006
Spain$15.95
The 2006 Marques De Caceres Crianza, aged in French oak for 24 months, is medium bodied, with integrated notes of red currant, cherry, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium and smooth. The wine can keep another 5 or more years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts - bought while on sale, well worth it. Tasted Nov/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)G
Bodegas Patrocinio Limited Edition Señorio De Unuela Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja
Spain$16.95
This mature Rioja is medium bodied with aged cherry, pronounced leather, coconut and vanilla fragrances. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min or longer) and the finish is long and smooth. It should be drunk now or for the next year or two, as it is at its peak. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts. For those who are fans of aged wines, this is a recommended buy. Tasted Aug/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
Richard Hamilton Gumprs Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$18.95
This fully bodied Shiraz has nicely fruity to integrated aromas of black currant, bilberry, prune and cedar. A bit chalky and alcoholic finish is medium to long and the tannins are refined (decant for more than 30 min – actually, I left a half a bottle for the next day and the wine was much more integrated). I think this wine should be stored for a couple of years 2012-2014. For an experiment, I bought a couple of bottles to see if the wine can 'nicely' age in a screw cap bottle (would have bought more if a real cork was used). My impression: NICE - even though the other reviews made me expect a lot more, I still would recommend this wine. 89.5 pts. Tasted Aug/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
Torres Celeste Crianza 2006, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$20.95
This nicely aromatic, medium bodied wine has integrated notes of bilberry/blueberry as well as cedar, vanilla and coconut. The wine is tannic (decant for 30 min) with nice long finish and has the ability to evolve for the next 5 or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts and a recommended buy. I must however point out that this wine is quite similar to Ardal # 167601, which has more complexity, is more enjoyable and costs $2 less. Tasted in Sept/10 during Spanish wine tasting - 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
Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2008, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$17.95
The 2008 Don Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec, aged in French oak for 12 months, is full bodied, fruity, with nice aromas of strawberry and prune. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is medium to long and smooth. Still a bit too young, drink 2016-2020. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - well crafted wine for reasonable price, recommended. Tasted Feb/12.
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