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
Antinori Guado Al Tasso 2007, Doc Bolgheri Superiore
Tuscany, Italy$104.95
The 2007 Antinori Guado Al Tasso is medium bodied with intense aromas of integrated black currant, blueberry, coffee, green pepper, oak and vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for about an hour) and the finish is long and smooth. This wine should be put away for the next 4-5 years and should last till 2020 to 2015. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92.5 pts - excellent wine, but is $90 really worth it? 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/shiraz 2008
South Australia, Australia$59.95
The 2008 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz is a medium to full bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of overripe blackberry, blueberry, subtle black currant, caramel, pine, vanilla and coconut. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a long and smooth finish. Put this one away for >3 years to mature and as this wine has a great potential to cellar, drink 2015-2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92+ pts – a recommended buy as a gift or for people with deep pockets. Tasted June/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @ www.grapeselections.com
or
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Carmenère 2007, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley
Rapel Valley, Chile$29.95
The 2007 Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Carmenère is a medium to full bodied wine, with intensely aromatic notes of integrated chocolate, green pepper and oak on the nose and blackberry, coconut and vanilla on the palate. It is nicely structured/balanced with refined tannins (decanting for 1+ hour while sampling, will allow for evolution in the mouth to happen) and long and smooth finish. While perfectly good to drink now, it will benefit from further aging, try from 2013 to 2018. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92.5 - would recommend buying it if it was still available; curiously(?!?) it took less than 2 months for it to sell out - must be due to the nice wooden 6-bottle case, rarely seen supplied with wines at this price. Tasted Oct/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2007
Australia$35.00
The Grey Label Shiraz 2007 from McLaren Vale is full bodied with fruity to integrated aromas of cherry, black cherry, pine and liquorice. The tannins are dusty and refined (decant for 30 min to 1 hr) and the finish is long. It should evolve nicely for the next 5 years at least. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 91 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
4.0 Stars
(0)G
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
Hermanos Peciña Señorío De P. Peciña Gran Reserva 1998, Doca Rioja
Spain$45.15
This Gran Reserva belongs to one of the oldest bottles that I own, and hence I openned this one for a very special occasion. This wine is aged, light to medium bodied with very fragrant aromas of leather, aged cherry, violets and oak. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min to allow all the fragrances to emerge) and the finish is long. I would not age this wine any longer as it is on decline - I openned one bottle in the summer and my notes (and my memory) indicate it to be more fragrant than this last one. Nonetheless, this is still a beautiful wine that is meant to be sipped. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts - would highly recommend if LCBO still sold it. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
I am so glad LCBO re-released this wine on May 29/10, had no choice but to get a case. I made new review notes as soon as I purchased it, and they coincide with what I wrote below. Tasted again May/10. Recommended buy - get few bottles/case while there are some left.
I have tried the 2006 (released Aug15/09, 974394) alongside the 2007 (released Nov21/09, 145920). The 2007 vintage is smooth, aromatic, light to medium bodied with notes of cherry, black currant, coconut, oak, vanilla and smoke. It is tannic (needs at least an hour to open) and hence it can still benefit from aging for 5 to 10 years. The finish is nice and long and unfortunately I was only able to get a single bottle :-(. I would definitely like to try this wine again. My impression is somewhere between BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE. Tasted Dec/09.
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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia, 53rd Vintage
South Australia, Australia$27.95
The 2008 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine. It has intense aromas of black currant, oak, coconut, vanilla and smoke on the nose and black currant and vanilla on the palate. It has a sharp acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long overoaked finish. Ready to drink now or can be cellared standing up (screw cap) for another 5-10 years. Drink-how: it is quite overpowering for most foods, good as a sipper - especially at parties as it has a mass appeal. My impression: NICE, 90-91 pts - though overoaked, for this level of complexity it's reasonably priced. 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
Polkura Syrah 2009, Marchigue, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$19.40
The 2009 Polkura Syrah is a medium to full bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of smoke, blackberry, black cherry, strawberry, pepper and green pepper. It is on the acidic side, has refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and has a long and smooth finish. Cellar it for several years as it has an evolution potential of at least 2 pts, drink 2015-2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - recommended buy. Tasted Jan/13.
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