Dan Trcka
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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
Ruffino Modus 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
OK, so didn’t return the last 4 bottles (see review below) and here was another attempt at seemingly perfectly good bottle. The 2007 Modus has intense aromas of barnyard, pine, oak, vanilla, earth, dark chocolate and cherry on the nose and yogurty blackberry, cranberry and pomegranate on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated to aged wine, with forward acidity, refined, chalky, tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long finish. Drink as a sipper; still closed - drink 2015-2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - would recommend if still available. Tasted June/13.
The 2007 Ruffino Modus, composed of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, was aged for 12 months in French and American oak casks and was rated #25 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2010. It has strong penicillin/corked notes upon opening that diminish after about half an hour of decanting and allowing the wine to be reasonably enjoyable. Once decanted, it is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with intense aromas of black cherry, red currant, chocolate, leather, cedar/oak and vanilla. It has a nice structure, tannins that are refined to tannic and a long finish. Though made with aging in mind, I would not recommend aging it as more funky notes will emerge. My impression: NICE, 90 pts tasted once in December 2011 shortly after it was released, and again in June 2012 (didn't publish the review of the first bottle, as I thought it was corked). Bought 6 bottles, will return the remaining 4.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Grant Burge 10 Year Old Tawny, Barossa, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$30.95
The Grant Burge 10 Year Old Tawny is a Gold Medal winner of the 2010 New Zealand International Wine Show. This complex desert wine has intense aromas of caramel, pecan, toasted oak and tobacco leaves. While able to age for the next 20-30 years, due to enjoyment, it won't last a month. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - recommended buy. Tasted May/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Rosewood Estates Semillon 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
The 2009 Rosewood Estates Semillon has intense aromas of heavier, petrol like compounds, woody asparagus, light lees, citrus and pear (around the stem and core). It is a medium bodied with slightly oily/heavier palate, dry, integrated to aged wine, with acidity on the acidic side and a medium to long finish. Cheese and meat friendly wine; drink now – 2016 (cork enclosure) and watch it evolve. Tasted at Rosewood Semillon Vertical Tasting (http://grapeselections.com/semillon-vertical-tasting-rosewood-estates/) in June/13 and rated it 89 pts.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino 2005, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
The 2005 Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino is an unfiltered, medium bodied, integrated wine. It has an appealing aromas of leather, smoky bacon, oak and cedar on the nose and raspberry and cherry on the palate. It has a nice structure, grippy tannins (decant for 1+ hours) and a long and smooth finish. Drink now or cellar for another decade. It is excellent with Italian cuisine - cured meats and risotto as well as it performs great as a standalone sipper. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - recommended buy. Aug/12.
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz 2009, Barossa Valley
South Australia, Australia$63.95
The 2009 Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz, aged in French Oak for 18 months, was ranked #35 on the 2011 Wine Spectator Top 100 wines. It is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, bilberry, smoke, violets, clove and pronounced black pepper. It has a focused structure with refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a long finish. This wine should be enjoyed by itself in a special company; drink now or hold for another 10 years. My impression: DIVINE, 93 pts - definitely a recommended buy. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Descendientes De J. Palacios Villa De Corullón 2009
Galicia, Spain$50.00
The 2009 Descendientes De J. Palacios Villa De Corullón is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of red berries, violets/wild roses, oak, coconut and vanilla. It has forward acidity, refined tannins and a long finish. Still young now, drink 2014-2018. My impression: NICE, 90 pts.
Tasted during 'The Wines of Alvaro Palacios' tasting organized by WineAlign on March 19th, 2012.
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
4.0 Stars
Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofí 2009
Priorat, Spain$90.00
The 2009 Álvaro Palacios Finca Dofí is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of both red and black fruit: namely black cherry, black currant and plum as well as faint vanilla and toasted oak. It is well balanced, with refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. Though enjoyable now, this wine can age for the next 10+ years - drink now-2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts.
Tasted during 'The Wines of Alvaro Palacios' tasting organized by WineAlign on March 19th, 2012.
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
4.0 Stars
Helfrich Gewurztraminer 2010, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$18.95
The 2010 Helfrich Gewurztraminer is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of honey, Muscat and lily. It has a distinct minerality and a medium, sweet finish. Drink-how: it is enjoyable as an aperitif - one glass at a time due to its sweetness. My impression: NICE, 89 pts Tasted Aug/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Grant Burge Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Barossa
South Australia, Australia$32.95
The 2009 Grant Burge Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon spent 16 months in predominantly new French oak barrels. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, black cherry, faint leather and cedar. It has a nice structure with grippy tannins (decant for 30 to 60 min) and a long finish. It is ready to drink now, but will still evolve nicely for the next 10+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - recommended buy. Tasted May/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Sequillo Cellars Red 2009, Wo Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$23.90
The 2009 Sequillo Cellars Red is composed of Syrah, Mouvedre, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault of unspecified proportions and was aged in French oak casks for a total of 24 months before bottling. It is a light bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of dark berries, rosehip, sweet cinnamon and faint liquorice. It lacks balance as it is on the acidic side and is somewhat alcoholic, without being supported by fruit. It has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 1+ hours) and has earthy/mineral finish of medium length. Drink now and for the next 2 years, as this wine was not meant to be aged (light body; composite, short cork). Though food friendly, the nice complexity would be completely masked, so I suggest to drink it as a sipper. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts - though bit costly, give this one a try regardless - for lovers of light bodied wines. Aug/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V