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
L.A. Cetto Réserve Privée Nebbiolo 2004, Guadalupe Valley, Baja California
Mexico, World$17.25
The 2004 L.A. Cetto Réserve Privée Nebbiolo is a medium bodied wine with fruity to integrated notes of black currant, blackberry, dust/Earth and cedar. It is tannic (decant for 1 hour or more) and the finish is long and a bit chalky. It will benefit from cellaring up to 10 years. Nice Nebbiolo example worth a try, yet not comparable to Italian ones. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Oct/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
Rosewood Estates Semillon 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
The 2008 Rosewood Estates Semillon, first single varietal vintage started by Luke Orwinski, has deep aromas of wet stone minerality and light citrus on the nose and light honey-dew melon on the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry wine with good acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food or enjoy simply on its own; drink now-2015 (cork enclosure). Tasted at Rosewood Semillon Vertical Tasting (http://grapeselections.com/semillon-vertical-tasting-rosewood-estates/) in June/13 and rated it 89-90 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Ardal Crianza 2005, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$18.95
The Bodegas Balbás Ardal Crianza 2005 was now released for the 3rd time (June26/10, June09/12 and now Feb16/13), I purchased it back in 2010 and kept a case in my cellar. I’ve been watching its evolution and would say that it is drying up and currently fairs 89-90 pts – none the less, still a recommended buy. Tasted July/10 to Jan/13.
Here are my previous ratings.
.
I organized a Spanish wine tasting and since most of the wines were unknown to me, I needed one that I knew I could count on - and the one being Ardal Crianza 2005. I have rated it previously, so I will only mention that this time, the dark berries were blackberry and blueberry, my impression was BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE and it received one more point, totaling 92. Also, I decided to purchase several bottles and add it to my collection. Tasted in Sept/10 during Spanish wine tasting. This was the second most liked wine out of the lineup.
.
This medium bodied 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend has intense aromas of integrated to aged dark berries, cedar, leather, vanilla and coconut. The tannins are refined to tannic (decant for at least 30 min) and the finish is long and silky. It can still be kept for the next two or so years, but is best to drink now. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted July/10.
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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Capçanes Costers Del Gravet 2006, Do Montsant
Spain$16.95
This medium bodied blend, from the Spanish Montsat region, has nicely integrated aromas of raspberry, pine, green pepper and vanilla. The tannins, which are nicely balanced with the fruit, are refined to tannic (decant longer that 15 min) and the finish is medium and smooth. Though this wine can be cellared for the next 5 years, it is ready to drink now. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - recommended buy. Tasted July/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
Caliterra Bio Sur Carmenere Reserva Especial 2008, Colchagua Valley
Chile$12.90
The 2008 Caliterra Bio Sur Carmenere Reserva Especial is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with notes of smoke and green pepper on the nose and blackberry, black cherry and more green pepper on the palate. It has refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium and a bit alcoholic. Drink now as the screw cap enclosure disallows aging. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts - good for lovers of greenage, especially at $13. 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.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Farnese Negroamaro 2008
Puglia, Italy$8.95
Farnese Negroamaro 2008 is a medium bodied wine with fruity notes of strawberry and raspberry. It has subtle to refined tannins (no need for decanting) and a medium, smooth finish. It is to be drunk now, not to cellar. My impression: rather NICE, not complex yet enjoyable and especially at the price - 87 pts. I definitely recommend this wine especially with some sweets/chocolate. Tasted in Nov/10 during Italian wine tasting, where it was quite liked.
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)G
Paolo Conterno Bricco Sant'ambrogio Barbera D'alba 2008, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$18.95
This light to medium bodied Barbera offers FRUITY to integrated notes of red currant, prune and chocolate. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium and sweet. It can be aged for 1 to 2 years, but not more. Even though my impression is NICE, I would not buy this wine again as I got a headache the next day, probably due to the sweetness (I am a bit puzzled that LCBO labels it as XD). 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
Zenato Valpolicella Ripassa Superiore 2007, Veneto
Veneto, Italy$25.95
The 2008 Zenato Valpolicella Ripassa Superiore is a full bodied wine, with nice aromas of fruity to INTEGRATED blackberry, chocolate, oak, faint green pepper and liquorice. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant from 15 to 60 min and watch it open up) and the finish is long. With cork >5 cm, this wine is meant for cellaring; ready to drink now though best from 2014-2018. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - while a bit pricey at $24.95, it is a nice Ripassa example and quite comparable to more expensive Amarone. A recommended buy. Tasted Oct/11.
See other reviews at http://www.winealign.com/wines/21323
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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Riscal Reserva 2005, Rioja
Spain$24.75
The 2005 Marqués De Riscal Reserva, composed of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo (Cariñena), was aged in American oak for 26 months. It is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with intense aromas of dried red berries, cherry, leather and sandalwood. It has a good structure with refreshing acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a long, smooth finish. Can be drunk now and should reward for another 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 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
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Apollonio Copertino Rosso 2004, Doc
Puglia, Italy$16.95
The 2004 Apollonio Copertino Rosso is medium bodied with nice aromas of integrated to aged black cherry, faint leather, oak, smoke and coconut. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min or more) and the finish is medium to long, but a bit sweet and unbalanced. It is ripe now and should hold for less than 5 years. My impression: quite NICE, 90 pts - I would recommend one bottle to try for people liking integrated to aged wines. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V