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
Marchesi De' Frescobaldi Terre More Dell' Ammiraglia 2009, Igt Maremma Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
The 2009 Marchesi De' Frescobaldi Terre More Dell' Ammiraglia composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah is light to medium bodied, with nice aromas of fruity cherry, prune, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15-30 min) and the finish is medium. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts - bit too expensive for what it currently is. 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)V
Haras De Pirque Character Cabernet Sauvignon/Carménère 2007, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$16.00
The 2007 Haras De Pirque Character Cabernet Sauvignon/Carménère won a Gold Medal in 2010 Gran Oro competition. It is a full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of black currant, dark chocolate, oak and green pepper. It has refined, chalky tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium to long finish that is quite hot. Put this one away for couple of years, drink 2014-2020. My impression: very NICE, 89 pts - on sale now for $16 from original price of $18.95 - give this one a try. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Simi Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$39.95
A friend of mine brought the 2007 Simi Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon directly from California (there sold for $30). I found this wine to have quite a high score (contrary to other reviews). It is medium to full bodied, with intense aromas of integrated black currant, blackberry, cedar and liquorice. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min) and a long and smooth finish. It is ready to drink now or cellar for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 91-92 pts. Tasted Nov/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
La Ferme Du Mont Première Côte Côtes Du Rhône 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$15.95
The 2009 La Ferme Du Mont Première Côte Côtes Du Rhône 2009, composed of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, has intense aromas of blueberry, prune, caramel, smoke and faint cedar on the nose and blueberry and raspberry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with notable tannins, balanced acidity and a medium to long, smooth finish. It is a food friendly wine that can also be enjoyed by itself; drink now – 2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts. Tasted at La Ferme Du Mont luncheon hosted by Stéphane Vedeau July/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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Louis Jadot Chardonnay Bourgogne 2010
Burgundy, France$21.95
The 2010 Louis Jadot Chardonnay Bourgogne is a medium bodied, fruity wine with appealing aromas of ripening apple and subtle oak. It has a nice acidity and a slightly sweet finish of medium length. Drink this food friendly wine for the next 2-4 years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Kir Yianni Ramnista Xinomavro 2008, Aoqs Naoussa
Naoussa, Greece$16.40
The The 2008 Kir Yianni Ramnista Xinomavro is a light bodied, integrated wine, with nice aromas of red currant, cherry, pine and liquorice. The tannins are refined to tannic (really needs to be decanted for 1 hour) and the silky finish is of medium length. Drink now or cellar for 5+ years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a recommended buy for lovers of light bodied wines. Tasted Feb/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)V
Maycas Del Limarí Especial Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Limarí Valley
Limari Valley, Chile$19.95
The 2007 Maycas Del Limarí Especial Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is a full bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 30-60 min) and the finish is medium to long and smooth. Drink now or hold for 5-10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89.5 pts - another fine example by Concha Y Toro. Recommended buy. 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
Bodegas Lan Crianza 2007, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$15.95
The 2007 Bodegas Lan Crianza is a light bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with notes of red currant, coconut, vanilla and oak. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. Drink now and for the next 2 years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. 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
Deen De Bortoli Vat 10 Pinot Noir 2009, Southeastern Australia
Australia$13.00
The 2009 Deen De Bortoli Vat 10 Pinot Noir has intense aromas of smoked meat, subtle clove, pomegranate and cranberry. It is an off-dry, light to medium bodied, fruity wine; has forward acidity and noticeable tannins leading to a medium finish. Drink with salty, meaty dishes; aging for few years should smoothen out the tannins. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87 pts. Tasted April/13 at WineAlign Cru tasting.
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
Umani Ronchi San Lorenzo Rosso Conero 2008, Doc
Marche, Italy$14.95
The 2008 Umani Ronchi San Lorenzo Rosso Conero has notes of cherry, lees, red currant and cedar. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a finish of medium length. Drink with food; drink now - 2015. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 88 pts. Tasted April/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
3.0 Stars
(0)V