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
Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County
California, Usa$18.95
The 2010 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay is a medium bodied, fruity wine with intense aromas of green apple, slight vanilla and oak. It has nice structure and a long, supple vanilla finish. This food friendly wine will reward for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 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)G
Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2010, Adelaide, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$21.95
The 2010 Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry and strawberry. It is acid forward; has refined, silky tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and has a medium, bit alcoholic finish. This is a food friendly wine that can be cellared for another 5 years. My impression: NICE, 88-89 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
Tamarí Ar Malbec 2007, Argentina
Argentina$21.95
The 2007 Tamarí Ar Malbec is a medium to full bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, oak and faint leather on the nose and blackberry and sandalwood on the palate. It has a balanced structure with refined tannins (decant for 30 min), good acidity and a long and smooth finish. It is still a bit young, drink 2014-2020. Though this is a crowd pleaser that has no regional identity or character and that lost the essence of Malbec, it should not take away from the fact that it is a nicely balanced wine. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – give it a try. Tasted May/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
Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2009, Rioja
Rioja, Spain$21.00
The 2009 Palacios Remondo La Montesa Crianza is light to medium bodied, with fruity aromas of red currant and pomegranate on the nose and blackberry on the palate. Tannins are subtle and the finish is medium. Drink now or hold short term. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts.
Tasted during 'The Wines of Alvaro Palacios' tasting organized by WineAlign on March 19th, 2012.
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
Carinae Reserva Malbec 2009, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$15.95
The 2009 Carinae Reserva Malbec, aged in French Oak for 12 months, is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with pleasing aromas of blackberry, green pepper and vanilla/oak. It has refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a smooth, medium to long finish. Drink for the next 5+ years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. 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
Bodegas Olarra Anares Reserva 2005
Rioja, Spain$17.95
The 2005 Bodegas Olarra Anares Reserva is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of cherry, cranberry, vanilla, sandalwood and faint leather. Tannins are refined and the finish is long. Drink now to 2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Pinyolet Garnacha 2010, Do Montsant
Catalonia, Spain$18.95
The 2010 Pinyolet Garnacha is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of strawberry, prune and pine. It has a nice structure, refined tannins (decant for 1-2 hours) and a finish of medium length. Best 2015-2018. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted June/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
Angels Gate Mountainview Chardonnay 2010, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
The 2011 Angels Gate Mountainview Chardonnay, aged in French Oak for 8 months, has intense aromas of honey, linden, light oak and vanilla. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with forward acidity, soft tannins and a medium to long finish. It is quite food friendly, yet can be enjoyed on its own; drink now-2018. My impression: quite NICE, 89-90 pts – recommended wine. Tasted at International Cool Climate Chardonnay – i4C event 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
Allegrini Corte Giara Ripasso Valpolicella Doc 2010
Veneto, Italy$17.00
The 2010 Allegrini Corte Giara Ripasso has an intense bouquet composed of blackberry, figs and dark chocolate. It is full bodied, fruity, has balanced acidity and tannins and a medium to long, silky finish. Drink as a sipper or with protein rich foods; drink now and for the next 5+ years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – recommended buy based on price and quality. 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
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Paso Robles
California, Usa$22.95
The 2010 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon has intense aromas of toasted oak, vanillin, blackberry, strawberry and bilberry. It is a full bodied, dry, fruity to integrated wine, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a long, vanilla dominated finish. This is a party friendly wine that can also be enjoyed with sweet/acidic foods; drink now - 2018+. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - though not crafted but tailored, this is a consistent product from vintage to vintage. 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