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
Rivera Salice Salentino 2007, Doc
Puglia, Italy$11.35
The 2007 Rivera Salice Salentino, a Negroamaro blend, is light to medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated cherry, cedar, vanilla and liquorice. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is medium. It is good to drink now and can hold for another 5 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - excellent value for $11.35 (reduced from $13.95). 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$22.95
The 2004 Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec is a powerful full bodied wine full of oak, black berry and plum notes, with good tannins and acidity – that is if you manage to find an unspoiled bottle. I’ve tried 3 bottles of which 2 had notable fungusy/moldy notes. This wine is not corked as the enclosure is a plastic one. There is a quite a bit of sediment and the wine must be decanted. The LCBO has released it now 4 times – July 9th, 2011; August 4th, 2012; November 9th, 2013 and most recently (probably not the last) December 6th, 2014 keeping the price the same at $21.95 in the first three releases and adding a $1 in the latest one. Malbec from 2004 seems like a good buy, but don’t be fooled. An unfortunate wine tale that most likely can all be attributed to a plastic enclosure that is simply not doing its job. Tasted in Jan/15.
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
ètim Selección 2007
Catalonia, Spain$15.00
The 2006 vintage just flew off the shelves, glad I managed to get a couple of bottles. This 2007 vintage is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED, with nice aromas of raspberry, red currant and cedar. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for around 1 hour) and the finish is medium to long. It can easily be cellared for 5 to 10 years, but not sure it will improve with age. If I was to add up the points using my system, it would receive 88.5 pts. I do however must give it another point and the reason is that it is not often that I really notice how the tannins and acidity are in a perfect harmony. My impression: NICE, 89.5 pts - a recommended buy. Tasted in Sept/10 during Spanish wine tasting - quite popular in the line up.
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
José Maria Da Fonseca José De Sousa 2006, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Portugal$12.65
The 2006 José Maria Da Fonseca José De Sousa made of 33% Trincadeira, 45% Grand noir and 22% Aragonês is medium bodied with integrated notes of prune, smoke and cedar. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min), acidity is nice and refreshing and the finish is smooth and medium to long. My impression: very NICE, 88.5 pts - recommended buy, especially at this discounted price. 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
Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Washington, Usa$14.15
This is a review for the 2009 Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon from the general section (some 2008 are still available). It is a medium to full bodied, fruity/over-oaked/over-extracted wine, with intense aromas of cherry/black cherry, oak, coconut and vanilla. It has refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a long finish. Can be enjoyed now, but should get better with age: from 2015-2019. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - will have a wide appeal and is a great buy for $12 ($2 off). Tasted Apr/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
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Château Verdignan 1998, Ac Haut Médoc
Bordeaux, France$21.95
Wow, a 1998 vintage from Bordeaux and of this calibre for mere $22 - unheard of. This intensely aromatic, medium bodied wine has INTEGRATED to aged notes of red currant, black cherry, leather, violets/pine and vanilla. Tannins are refined and the finish is medium to long (can drink in 30 min, but the longer you decant it, the longer the finish will be). Surprisingly, this wine can be kept for another 5 years before aged notes begin to dominate (I am still in disbelief that this is a 1998 vintage). One thing of note is that the wine's bouquet and finish are a bit disconnected - a wine with such intense aromas should have bolder finish (you will understand what I mean). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - of course a recommended buy. Tasted Sept/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
Trius Vidal Icewine 2007, Niagara Peninsula (375ml)
Ontario, Canada$60.00
The 2007 Trius Vidal Icewine has captivating notes of baked pear, hawthorn and wet slate minerality. It is a full bodied, sweet to lightly syrupy, fruity wine; with crisp acidity and a long finish. Sip this one on-its-own or enjoy with creamy cheeses; drink now – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts. Tasted Mar/14 at Cuvée en Route http://grapeselections.com/cuvee-2014/
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
Quinta Do Tedo Vinho Tinto 2007, Doc Douro
Portugal$12.45
The 2007 Quinta Do Tedo Vinho Tinto is medium bodied, with fruity notes of yogurty bilberry and blueberry. Tannins are refined (must be decanted for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. This wine will surely benefit from aging as it should still evolve for 3 to 5 years. My impression: NICE, 87 pts - the price a bit too high (probably due to the Decanter award), should be around $14, but still worth a try. Tasted Nov/10 and several other times since.
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
Ricossa Barbera D'asti Superiore 2007, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$13.95
The medium bodied Ricossa Barbera D'asti Superiore 2007 is made from a higher quality grape that was aged in oak for more than two years. It is lightly aromatic, with fruity to INTEGRATED notes of blackberry, black currant, oak and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min), acidity is nicely balanced and the finish is medium to long and smooth. It is good to drink now or can be easily aged for another 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - I recommend this wine as it goes well with food or can be enjoyed by itself. Tasted during Italian wine tasting, where overall it was well received. Nov/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
Beronia Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$19.95
I am a big fan of the Beronia Reserva 2005 (released October 24/2009 - see review of the previous vintage) and so when the 2006 vintage was first released on Sept18/2010, I went and tasted both vintages together. My original review (never posted) of the 2006 vintage was as follows: Medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED, with intense aromas of red and black currants, leather, oak and vanilla. Tannins were refined to tannic (decant for 1 hour) and the finish was medium to long. My impression was NICE - 89.5 pts. I never did actually stock up though I should have as they used to cost $17.95.
1.5 years later, my review is as follows: Medium bodied, integrated wine with nice aromas of dried red fruit namely cherry, leather, vanilla and sandalwood. It has a nice structure, with refined tannins (decant for 30 to 60 min) and a long finish. Good to drink now and should be for the next 5-10 years (5 cm cork) and my observations show nice ageability. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts and a recommended buy (though $2 more expensive). Tasted Feb/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)V