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
Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendocino County, Organic Wine
California, Usa$19.95
The 2010 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, pomegranate, violets/cedar and oak. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 1+ hours) and the finish is medium. It is food friendly; drink now-2017. My impression: NICE (once it opens up), 88 pts - correctly priced when on sale for $16. Tasted Jan/13.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Oveja Negra The Lost Barrel 2008, Maule Valley
Maule Valley, Chile$20.25
The 2008 Oveja Negra The Lost Barrel is composed of 40% Syrah, 40% Carignan, 18% Carmenere and 2% Petit Verdot and aged in French oak for 12 months. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of blackberry, blueberry, bit of greenness, pine, oak and vanilla. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 to 60 min) and a long finish. This sipper is good to drink now or can be aged for another 5+ years, with the potential to evolve into more complex wine. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts - though $24.95 give this one a try. Aug/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
Cantine De Falco Salore Salice Salentino Rosso 2008, Doc
Puglia, Italy$13.90
The 2008 Cantine De Falco Salore Salice Salentino Rosso is composed of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera and was aged 8 months in oak barrels. It is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of raspberry, red currant, cedar, liquorice and oak. It has a nice structure with good acidity, refined/yet forward tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long finish. Drink now or cellar for the next 10 years and as it evolves it should gain in complexity, earning one or two more points. This wine is food friendly with Italian or other non spicy foods, or can be simply enjoyed by itself if you cherish good tannic structure. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89-9 pts - recommended buy. Aug/12 and again 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
Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma/Monterey/Napa Counties
California, Usa$19.95
The 2010 Ghost Pine Chardonnay, sourced from Sonoma, Monterey and Napa Counties and aged in both French and American oak after fermentation, has intense aromas of ripe pear, citrus, butter and subtle oak. It is medium bodied with good fruit intensity, has a good structure and a long and smooth finish. Pair with salty meat dishes, but rather enjoy sipping it by itself; drink now to 2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90pts – it is recommended especially because currently it is on Limited Time Offer for $2 off. Tasted March/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/lcbo-deals/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Finca El Origen Chardonnay 2010, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$10.95
The 2010 Finca El Origen Chardonnay Reserva, 25% of which was oak aged for 21 days, is medium bodied with appealing notes of green apple, lees and very faint oak. It has a distinct minerality, nice acidity, subtle tannins and a medium, slightly sweeter finish. Drink now and for the next 2-4 years. Drink-how: serve with food or as a standalone sipper. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - the price tag of $10.95 makes it an excellent buy – highly recommended. Tasted Aug/12.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Zinfatuation Zinfandel 2010
California, Usa$11.25
The 2010 Zinfatuation Zinfandel has intense aromas of sweet strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb. It is an off-dry, medium to full bodied, fruity wine; has a good acidity, subtle to refined tannins and a medium finish. It is food friendly with most dishes; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – good example of the Zinfandel variety with restrained sugar level; recommended for its quality to off-dry, red wine lovers. 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
(0)G
Celler Besllum Besllum 2008, Do Montsant
Catalonia, Spain$15.95
The 2008 Celler Besllum Besllum is composed of 50% Cariñena and 50% Garnacha sourced from old vines (on the label). It is a medium bodied, integrated wine with appealing notes of cherry/sour cherry and toasted oak on the nose and coconut and vanilla on the palate. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly; drink now or hold for the next 5 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - I would recommend this wine, however it is no longer available. My hunch is that it will be re-released sometime in the near future. Tasted Dec/12.
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
Angels Gate Old Vines Chardonnay 2010, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$23.95
The 2009 Angels Gate Old Vines Chardonnay, aged in French Oak for 8 months, has intense aromas of coffee, caramel, hawthorn, green and yellow apple. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with clean, crisp acidity, and a long, roasted coffee filled finish. Enjoy this one by itself; drink now – 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended based on both quality and value. 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
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough
Marlborough, New Zealand$17.45
The 2012 Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc has intense bouquet of leechie and passion fruit on the nose as well as on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity and long, leechie dominated finish. It is a food friendly wine – pair with Asian cuisine; drink young now – 2015/16 (screw cap). My impression: NICE, 89-90 pts – recommended buy especially when on sale for $15.95 ($1.50 OFF) till May 26/13. Tasted at WineAlign’s event “Tutored Tasting with Stoneleigh Winemaker Jamie Marfell” and again at Wines of New Zealand May/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)G
Thirty Bench Riesling 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$18.95
The 2011 Thirty Bench WineMaker's Riesling, sourced from younger vines throughout the property, is medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of green apple and subtle floral notes. It is off-dry, has a nice minerality, refreshing acidity and a clean/refreshing medium/long finish. Food friendly or a sipper; drink now - 2020+." My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – >1000 cases produced. Tasted Dec/12.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V