Dan Trcka
|
Followers (47)
|
|
|
Following (5)
|
Reviews (1016)
|
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
Kooyong Ferrous Pinot Noir 2009, Mornington Peninsula
Victoria, Australia$59.75
The 2009 Kooyong Ferrous Pinot Noir, sourced from the cool Mornington Peninsula, has appealing aromas of yogurt, lees, cranberry and wood on the nose and cranberry, pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, wood and vanilla on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry fruity to integrated wine; balanced with good, crisp acidity, drying tannins and a medium finish. This is a food friendly, sipping wine; put away for couple of years – drink 2016-2020+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted at Australia Today 2014 Trade show http://grapeselections.com/australian-wine/ in Feb/14.
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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010, Hawkes Bay
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand$17.25
The 2010 Trinity Hill Syrah has intense bouquet of pine needles, pepper, plum and dates. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with checked acidity, subtle to refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a medium, yet quite clean, finish. It is food friendly; drink now and for the next 3 years. My impression: NICE, 90-91 pts. Tasted June /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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2007, Hungary (250ml)
Hungary$23.95
The 2007 Royal Tokaji has intense aromas of ripe apricot, ripe pear and floral/light honey notes. It is a full bodied, sweet, integrated wine with forward acidity and a long, clean (not syrupy) finish. Drink as a aperitif or with desert; now-2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts - recommended based on both, value and quality. Tasted in Jun/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Sette Ponti Oreno 2009, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$71.95
The 2009 Oreno Tezuta Sette Ponti is intense on the nose with cut hay, cherry, pine, oak, anise, vanilla and prune notes. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with notable acidity and tannins (decant for 2+ hours at which point the wine's acidity & tannins integrate together) and a medium to long, silky, finish. Drink as a sipper; drink 2018-2030 (cork is long and quite thick), evolution potential of +1 or 2 pts. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - for connoisseurs with a deep cellar and a pocket. Tasted June/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Gianni Gagliardo Barolo 2006
Piedmont, Italy$50.00
The 2006 Gianni Gagliardo Barolo has intense aromas of dried pomegranate, cedar, cigar box and anise. It is light to medium bodied, integrated to aged, with good acidity, grippy tannins (decant for 30+ min) and long and smooth finish. Drink it as a sipper or with salty meats; drink now-2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91+ pts – recommended based on quality. Tasted March/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
4.0 Stars
Polkura Syrah 2009, Marchigue, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$19.40
The 2009 Polkura Syrah is a medium to full bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of smoke, blackberry, black cherry, strawberry, pepper and green pepper. It is on the acidic side, has refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and has a long and smooth finish. Cellar it for several years as it has an evolution potential of at least 2 pts, drink 2015-2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - recommended buy. Tasted Jan/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Rosewood Estates Natural Fermentation Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.95
The 2009 Rosewood Estates Pinot Noir Reserve, aged in seasoned French Oak barrels for 10 months, is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with bold aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, dark chocolate, oak, clove and smoked meat notes. It has refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium finish. Enjoy this wine by itself; drink now or for the next 5+ years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended buy though at $40. Tasted Oct/12.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Des Charmes Equuleus Paul Bosc Estate Vineyards 2010, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
The 2010 Château des Charmes Equuleus, composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot that was aged in French Oak for one year, is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense notes of raspberry, cherry, dates and vanilla. It has a good structure, refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a fruit forward, long finish. Enjoy by itself; drink now – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts. Tasted Oct/12.
Re-review of 2010 Equuleus: The 2010 Equuleus has intense aromas of cherry, raspberry, red currant, some Earthy notes, pepper and dark chocolate. It is light to medium bodied, integrated, with balanced acidity and refined tannins, a long and smooth finish. Again, my impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts. Tasted Mar/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$35.00
The Norman Hardie 2011 County Pinot Noir has intense aromas of pomegranate, raspberry, subtle cedar and smoke on the nose and strawberry, raspberry and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry (though perceived as dry), fruity wine, with good acidity, refined tannins and a long, silky finish. Although food friendly, enjoy this beauty by itself; drink now and watch it evolve for the next 5-7 years. Rated at 92 pts, this is a highly recommended (based on quality and value) wine. 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
4.0 Stars
Château Genot Boulanger Clos Du Cromin Meursault 2010, Ac
Burgundy, France$40.25
The 2010 Château Genot Boulanger Clos Du Cromin Meursault has intense aromas of lees and light citrus. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with forward, crisp acidity and a slightly oaky finish of medium length. It is food friendly or can be sipped by itself; drink now – 2016. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for quality. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V