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
Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2009
Tuscany, Italy$16.95
The 2009 Gabbiano Chianti Classico is a light bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with appealing aromas of red currant, cherry, dark chocolate and oak. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a smooth, medium to long finish. It is food friendly; drink now and for the next few years. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted Nov/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)G
Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir 2008, Carneros
California, Usa$25.95
The 2008 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir is a medium bodied, integrated wine with appealing aromas of red currant, blackberry, oak and vanilla. It has a nice minerality, refined tannins and a long finish. Drink this sipping wine now and for the next 5+ years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 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
Huff Estates Winery Off Dry Riesling 2011
Ontario, Canada$17.95
The Huff Estates 2011 Off-Dry Riesling has intense aromas of washed stone minerality, petrol, yellow apple and lightly floral notes. As its name reveals, it is an off-dry (12 g/l), medium to full-bodied, fruity wine with good acidity and a medium finish. Drink as an aperitif, with or without food; drink for the next 2-5 years. Rated 89 pts and tasted at ‘County in the City’ (see http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city/) in Apr/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
Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$16.25
The 2010 Moris Morellino Di Scansano, composed of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Syrah, is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of raspberry, cherry, dark chocolate and oak. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1 hour +) and a medium finish. It is a food friendly wine that should be aged for couple of years; drink 2014-2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Oct/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Sonoma County
California, Usa$18.95
The 2010 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the Sonoma County, has intense aromas of blackberry, black currant, toasted oak, coconut and vanilla. It is medium bodied, integrated, has good acidity and refined tannins (decant for 15 min), and a long silky finish. It is food friendly; drink now to 2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts – recommended based on quality/value ratio – on Limited Time Offer for $2 off until April 1st/13. 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
Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
The 2010 Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir has appealing aromas of Earthy strawberry/raspberry and integrated woody notes. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with checked acidity, subtle tannins (should be decanted for 2 hours) and a finish of medium length. It is food friendly; drink now-2018. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – tad expensive. 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
Lighthall Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$25.00
The Lighthall 2010 Pinot Noir has intense aromas of rosehip, smoked/cured meat, smoke and subtle vanilla. It is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with forward acidity, chewy, refined tannins and a long finish. It is food friendly, but will reward as a standalone sipper; drink now though cellaring to 2015-18 will have its rewards. Reviewed 89 pts and tasted at ‘County in the City’ (see http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city/) in Apr/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)
Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza
Argentina$15.95
The 2009 Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, in ratios 60%:40% respectively, was aged in American and French Oaks for 8 months. It is medium bodied, fruity to integrated, with intense aromas of black currant, blackberries, oak, coconut and vanilla. It has a solid structure, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min), and a long finish. Drink now or cellar for the next 10 years - it has an aging potential of 1-2 pts (the Shiraz contribution will evolve extremely well); it is food friendly (protein rich foods), but will be better enjoyed as a sipper. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - buy by the case. 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
Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$13.95
The 2011 Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented was first barrel fermented and then aged in French Oak for 9 months. It has intense aromas of citrus, candied fruit – papaya/pineapple, light vanilla and underbrush. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry/dry, fruity to integrated wine, with checked acidity, soft tannin and a medium, woody finish. Drink with most foods, especially seafood in white wine/garlic/onion sauce, or sip on its own; drink now-2016+. Drank remainder after 3 days in the fridge and the wine became more aromatic with Tutti frutti (candied fruit mentioned above) notes showing through. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – recommended for quality and price (can’t go wrong for $13.95). Tasted September/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
Vineland Estates Unoaked Chardonnay 2011
Ontario, Canada$13.95
The 2011 Vineland Estates Unoaked Chardonnay has captivating notes of citrus, green and yellow apple and faint tropical notes. It is a light to medium bodied, dry, fruity wine, with refreshing acidity and a medium, smooth finish. Drink with food or enjoy by itself; drink now- 2016. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts – recommended both on 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)G