Dan Trcka
|
Followers (47)
|
|
|
Following (5)
|
Reviews (1016)
|
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
Les Vignerons Du Castelas Vieilles Vignes Signargues Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$16.95
This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Vinsobres. Its fruity, medium bodied and has aromas of black cherry, prune and smoke. It is slightly acidic and slightly bretty. The tannins are refined (open for 30 min to 1 hr) and the finish is medium. I think that it shouldn't cost more than $12 and makes me wonder what other wines were at this competition if this one won gold. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to just 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château De St. Preignan 2005, Ac Côteaux Du Languedoc
Languedoc, France$12.35
This wine won a gold medal at Madaille D’Or Paris 2007. This honour, together with some of the critic and user comments, really puzzled me and lead me to a conclusion that perhaps I got a bottle that was somehow off, but not spoiled. My dinner invitees absolutely despised this wine to the point that even at the end of the night, no-one wanted to tough it and it had to be corked back with the intention to be used for cooking. We found this wine to be light bodied with integrated aromas of raspberry, cherry, prune and subtle green pepper. It was quite Earthy, slightly acidic with noticeable metallic taste. The tannins were subtle and the finish was medium and unpleasant. We tried it when it was open for 15 minutes and after 2 hours, even 3, but the quality of the wine did not improve. We deemed it DRINKABLE BUT WHY. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Ascheri Fontanelle Barbera D'alba 2008, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$17.95
This light to medium bodied Barbera has fruity to integrated aromas of prune, red currant and green pepper (which is slightly overwhelming). Tannins are subtle (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. This wine should age nicely for the next 10 years. This was my first exposure to the Barbera grape and I must say it was a pleasant one. I tried it alongside TERRE DEL BAROLO VALDISERA BARBERA D'ALBA 2007 (134759), which I liked slightly less. My impression: 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Faizeau Vieilles Vignes 2006, Ac Montagne St émilion
Bordeaux, France$25.00
This light to medium bodied wine has aromas of bilberry, plum, slight oak and slight vanilla. These aromas are however overtaken by overwhelming dusty/Earthy notes. Tannins are quite pronounced, the finish is short and the wine needs about an hour to decant before it gets a bit better. The wine also has slight bitter and sour taste. Friend of mine brought it over and I was surprised at its high price. My impression: somewhere between DRINKABLE BUT WHY and NOTHING SPECIAL. Anyone who likes very earthy notes should give this one a try, but it’s not my thing. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Montes Alpha Carmenère 2007, Colchagua Valley
Chile$19.95
This fruity Carmenere is medium to full bodied with aromas of prune, caramel, smoke, Earth and subtle red currant. To my liking, the typical green pepper component associated with red currant is very subtle here. I didn’t have this wine opened for longer than an hour, so perhaps it may reveal itself if opened longer - hopefully not though. The tannins are subtle and the finish is medium. It should be at its best sometime around 2012 to 2016. Not to diminish this wine’s quality, but I would have liked to see it around the $16 price range and then for sure I would stock up. I definitely recommend this wine. My impression: NICE. Tasted March/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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Rolf Binder Halliwell Shiraz/Grenache 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Australia$20.20
This fruit driven, aromatic and full bodied wine has notes of black cherry, black currant and light strawberry compiled into a jammy compote. The tannins are subtle and the finish is medium. Even though this wine is quite fruity, the fruit is at the point of becoming integrated and I think that it will benefit from at least a couple of years in the cellar. However, since I am not a fan of screw caps, I myself will not cellar it to see how it evolves (this surely will start up a heated debate on corks vs. screw caps vs. fake corks). My impression: 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Terranoble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Colchagua Valley
Chile$16.95
This medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine has aromas of green pepper, red currant, cedar and slight notes of vanilla. It is a bit chalky, has refined tannins (opens up within 30 min) and a medium finish. It should be cellared for couple of years as it has the potential to improve. My impression: NICE. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Mestizaje Fdlt Terrerazo Red 2007, Doc Valencia
Spain$15.95
This full bodied wine is nicely aromatic with fruity notes of blueberry, black cherry and cedar. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long and silky. It should evolve nicely for the next 5 years, but is definitely ready do drink now. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - highly recommended. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Leonardo Chianti Riserva 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
This is one of the most intense bodied Chiantis I ever drunk, which as Mr. JS sais, may not be 100% Sangiovese (that would make sense to me). The wine is integrated to aged, with medium body and bouquet of vanilla, cherry and leather aromas. The tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is silky and medium to long. It is great to drink now or can be cellared for the next five years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a recommended buy. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Condado De Oriza Crianza 2006, Do Ribera Del Duero
Spain$17.95
This medium bodied Tempranillo has nice, integrated aromas of red currant, bilberry and cedar. Tannins are dusty, somewhere between refined to tannic (decant between 15 to 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 88.5 pts - a bit expensive for what it is and compared to other Spanish wines. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V