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
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Martinborough, North Island
Martinborough, New Zealand$24.95
The 2011 Craggy Range Te Nuna Road Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from Martinborough and then matured in French Oak barriques for 3 months, has intense gooseberry aromas. It is medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine with forward acidity and a medium finish. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts. Tasted in May/13 at 'Tasted at New Zealand Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-wine-fair/.
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
Te Mata Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Hawkes Bay
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand$20.00
The 2012 Te Mata Estate Sauvignon Blanc, from Hawke’s Bay, has intense aromas of ripe gooseberry and subtle tropical fruit. It is mineral, dry wine with light to medium body, good acidity and a medium finish. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts Tasted in May/13 at 'Tasted at New Zealand Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-wine-fair/.
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
Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009, Margaret River, Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia$22.95
The 2009 Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, of 73/27% proportions aged in French Oak for 24 months, has intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, creamy oak and coconut. It is a medium bodied; extra-dry, fruity wine; balanced with good acidity, refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. This is a sipping wine despite being food friendly; drink now – 2020++. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau Di Sardegna 2009, Doc
Sardinia, Italy$17.95
The 2009 Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau Di Sardegna has intense aromas of dried cherry and wood on the nose and cranberry, red currant and dried cherry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long, woody finish. It is food friendly or can be enjoyed by itself; drink now – 2016+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts. Tasted Nov/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
Thirty Bench Riesling 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$18.95
The 2012 Thirty Bench Riesling, harvested from old vines, has captivating aromas of wet stone minerality and typical Riesling notes of zest, gooseberry and oilyness (to stop short of using ‘petrol’ as a descriptor). It is a light to medium bodied, off-dry/medium-dry, fruity wine; with refreshing acidity and medium, finish. Enjoy with food or sip on its own; drink now and for the next few years (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts – recommended for its quality (and value if bought at the winery, since they are sold for $16.10 when 6 are bought). Brought by a friend who attended ‘Graze the Bench’ http://grapeselections.com/graze-the-bench/ (prices may have been only during the event) Tasted in Jun/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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Flat Rock Unplugged Chardonnay 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$16.95
The 2012 Flat Rock Unplugged Chardonnay has intense bouquet of green apple, unripe pear, citrus and wet stone minerality. It is an extra-dry, medium bodied, fruity wine with good acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 88 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
(0)V
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, South Island
Marlborough, New Zealand$21.95
The 2012 Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc, aged in large 4,000L oak vats, has intense, lifted aromas of citrus, green leechie and subtle oak. It is a medium bodied, fruity wine; with good, forward acidity and a medium to long finish. Enjoy with food or on-its-own; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 90 pts. Tasted in May/13 at 'Tasted at New Zealand Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-wine-fair/.
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 Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Estate Btld.
Ontario, Canada$16.25
The 2010 Château Des Charmes Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot is composed of roughly equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc and Merlot, all hand-picked from 20 - to 30 year-old vines that after fermentation aged in seasoned French Oak barrels for 9 months. This wine has intense aromas of lifted cedar, Earth, pomegranate and dates on the nose and toasted wood shavings, dates and Earth on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with dusty tannins (decant for 1+ hours), forward acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food or enjoy by itself; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted 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)V
Bersano Costalunga Barbera D'asti 2011, Piedmont
Piedmont, Italy$12.95
The 2011 Bersano Costalunga Barbera D'asti has appealing red currant, raspberry, stems and lifted woody/oaky and vanilla notes. It is a medium bodied, perceivably dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, subtle tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium finish. It is food and sipping friendly; drink now to 2017. My impression: quite NICE, 88 pts – recommended for its value. Tasted Nov/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
Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenère 2011, El Peñasco Vineyard, Apalta, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$14.25
The 2011 Carmen Gran Reserva (100%) Carmenère , aged in French oak for 10 months, has appealing aromas of green pepper, yeasty red currant, pomegranate and black cherry. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. It is a food friendly wine; drink for the next 5+ years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted at Wines of Chile 2013 tasting in October/13 - http://grapeselections.com/wines-of-chile-2013/
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