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
Bertani Villa Arvedi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006, Doc, Valpantena
Veneto, Italy$28.75
The 2006 Bertani Villa Arvedi Amarone Della Valpolicella is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of red berries - red currant, cherry, pomegranate; caramel and oak. Though alcoholic at 15%, it has a good structure with grippy tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a long and clean finish. Ready to drink now or can be cellared (though not meant to) for another 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - this is a sipping wine, not food friendly. Tasted March/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
Clos De Los Siete 2008, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$23.95
The 2008 Clos De Los Siete was originally released on April 31st, 2011 and then re-released on December 10th, 2011. It quickly disappeared on the first release (I purchased one bottle - one I review here). This wine is medium to full bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED, with nice notes of overripe cherry/black cherry on the nose and blueberry and subtle oak on the palate. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium, silky finish. Drink it now only to get an impression of how it will evolve in the next 4-5 years after which it should drink nicely for another 5 or more years. My impression: NICE (not there yet), 89.5 pts - I would recommend purchasing a couple of bottles only to see how they evolve in the next 5+ years. Tasted Jan/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
Bodegas Franco Espanolas Rioja Bordón Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Spain$19.95
The 2004 Bodegas Franco Espanolas Rioja Bordón Reserva is actually 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha and 5% Carignan/Cariñena/Mazuelo (label on the bottle vs. LCBO description). It is medium bodied, with intense, INTEGRATED to aged notes of red berries including red currant, oak, coconut, vanilla and faint leather. Tannins are refined (decant for half to full hour) and the finish is long. It is best to drink now, but can hold for 5 more years, when leather and musky notes will emerge. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - a definitely recommended wine as there currently aren't any finer Rioja examples available (at least not at this price point) - just note it's Gold Medal. 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
Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2010, Leyda Valley
Chile$11.95
The 2011 Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva is clear, clean and crisp, with refreshing acidity and nice aromas of lychee, citrus and subtle apricot. My impression: NICE, 88 pts - a recommended buy for $12. Tasted Sept/11.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)G
Produttori Di Govone Barbaresco 2006, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$19.95
The 2006 Produttori Di Govone Barbaresco is light bodied, with nice aromas of integrated strawberry, cedar and coconut. It is tannic (decant for 1 hr) and it has a long and smooth finish. It is still young and can age/evolve for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a definitely recommended buy, especially at this price (I have never seen a Barbaresco go under $35). One thing to look out for is the quality of the cork, as I have seen one quite deteriorated (I hope it was the only one as I am cellaring several bottles). 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
Sella & Mosca Cannonau Di Sardegna Riserva 2006, Doc Sardinia
Sardinia, Italy$17.95
This light to medium bodied wine has integrated to aged notes of raspberry and red currant compote as well as violets, plentiful wood notes and subtle vanilla aromas. Tannins are tannic (decant for half to one hour) and the finish is medium to long. It has the potential to age for 5 to 10 more years, but the fruit will disappear, so drink now. The finish is medium to long and quite metallic. This wine is to be consumed with food - not really a sipper. My impression: NICE, 88.5 pts - if you like tannic, aged wines, this one is for you. Tasted June/10.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Aconcagua Valley
Aconcagua Valley, Chile$19.95
The 2008 Errázuriz Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied with intense aromas of integrated vanilla, cedar, blackberry and coffee. Tannins are refined (decant for half an hour to an hour) and the finish is medium to long. It would be best to let the wine cellar for at least two years and should last till 2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted Jan/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/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Montes Alpha Carmenère 2008, Colchagua Valley
Chile$19.95
The 2008 Montes Alpha Carmenère is medium to full bodied with integrated, nicely aromatic red currant, cherry, prune, cedar, green pepper and coconut notes. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is smooth and long. Despite being good to drink now, this wine should be aged a bit as it will nicely evolve for the next 8-10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a recommended buy. 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
Ninquén Antu Syrah 2008, Colchagua Valley
Chile$17.95
The 2008 Ninquén Antu Syrah is full bodied with nice aromas of fruity to integrated bilberry, prune, pine and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. It is good to drink now, but should age well for the next 5 to 10 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Jan/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
Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Colchagua Valley
Chile$14.99
The 2009 Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied wine, with FRUITY to integrated notes of red currant, blackberry and cedar. It has a nice structure with balanced acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a long and smooth finish. Drink now and for the next 5 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - great buy for $13 and a recommended buy. Tasted Oct/11.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)