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
Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Aconcagua Valley
Chile$19.95
The 2008 Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated prune, bilberry and pronounced cedar. I also sensed some note resembling penicillin - probably due to a not entirely good bottle. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium to long with some heat. It should be drunk now and for the next few years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted Apr/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
Amalaya Valle Calchaqui 2008
Salta, Argentina$16.20
The 2008 Colomé Amalaya is FRUITY to integrated, medium bodied wine with nice aromas of red currant, caramel and coffee. It has refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a tangy, medium to long finish. It can be drunk now, but would benefit from aging for few years (2014-2018) if and only if it wasn’t for the FAKE cork enclosure used, completely eliminating the wine's aging potential!!!! My impression: NICE, 89 pts and a recommended buy especially at this price as it was originally sold for $18.95 – nearly $3 more. Tasted Aug/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
Carpineto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Riserva 2004
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
The 2004 Carpineto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Riserva is medium bodied, nicely aromatic, INTEGRATED to aged wine. The nose shows cherry, almond, leather and oak, whereas the palate displays coconut and some more cherry. It is tannic to very tannic (decant for 1 to 2 hours) and the finish is long. It will benefit from further aging, perhaps another 2 or so years and can be cellared for 10 to 20 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89.5 pts - not a food friendly wine. Tasted May/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
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Paso Robles, California
California, Usa$22.95
I have been noticing that when it comes to over-extraction, the recent releases of J. Lohr have improved considerably. The 2009 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine, with intense aromas of raspberry, blackberry and coconut. It has a good structure with nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min) and a medium to long finish. It is ready to drink now and should be for more than 5 years. My impression: very NICE, 89 pts - a bit too expensive for $21.95 for what it is. Tasted Dec/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
Leone De Castris Riserva Salice Salentino 2006, Doc, 50th Vintage
Puglia, Italy$18.95
The 2006 Leone De Castris Riserva Salice Salentino 50th Vintage, composed of 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera, is medium bodied, integrated wine with aromas of raspberry, cherry and oak. Upon opening, the wine remains quite closed and metallic for about an hour (decant between 1 to 2 hours), after which the body emerges, tannins (that are refined to tannic) settle down and the wine becomes nice and smooth with nicely balanced acidity and a medium to long finish. It should be laid down for few more years and can be cellared for another decade or so. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - recommended for tannin lovers; nice wine for good price. 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
Tawse Growers Blend Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
The 2009 Tawse Growers Blend Pinot Noir is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with appealing aromas of black currant, rosehip, slight band aid notes and smoke. It is slightly acidic, has tannins that are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min +) and a long finish. Cellar this food friendly wine for up to 5 years. My impression: NICE – 88-89 pts. Tasted Sept/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Riscal Reserva 2006, Rioja
Spain$24.75
The 2006 Marqués De Riscal Reserva, same as the 2005 vintage, is composed of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo (Cariñena) and was aged in American oak for 26 months. It is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with on-the-lighter-side appealing notes of red currant, cedar and vanilla. It has a nice food friendly acidity, tannins that are still grippy (decant for 1+ hour) and a medium to long finish. It seems to be closed off even after an hour of decanting, suggesting that perhaps aging for couple of years may open it up - drink 2013 to 2018. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts. Tasted Apr/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)G
Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva 2010
Chile$11.95
The 2010 Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva has nice aromas of pear and faint, fresh coffee bean. It has a yellowish color, resulting from being aged in French oak for 6 months, which also adds to the longer finish. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted Sept/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)G
Cono Sur Syrah Reserva 2010, Colchagua Valley
Chile$8.95
The 2010 Cono Sur Syrah Reserva is a medium to full bodied, fruity wine, with appealing strawberry notes. It has refined, dusty tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium finish. It will get better in the next couple of years or so and should be able to cellar for 5-10 years. My impression: NICE, 87.5 pts - good value from the general section and hence a recommended buy. Tasted Feb/12.
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)A
Vitalonga Terra Di Confine 2006, Igt Umbria
Umbria, Italy$22.95
The 2006 Vitalonga Terra Di Confine is a medium bodied wine with nice aromas of integrated black cherry, pine, oak and vanilla. It is tannic (decant for longer than 1 hour) and with a nice long finish. For tannin lovers - drink now, other people should cellar it for 2-3 years at least and it will age nicely for 10+ years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted Aug/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)V