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
Château Des Charmes Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Ontario
Ontario, Canada$28.95
The 2010 Château Des Charmes Rose is composed of equal amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that was aged on lees for over two years. It has intense aromas of light raspberry and lees as well as soapy minerality. It is light to medium bodied, medium sweet, fruity wine, with fine effervescence as a result of methode traditionnelle use, refreshing acidity, soft tannins and a medium to long, fruity finish. Though perfectly enjoyable as a sipping wine, it pairs perfectly with aged, dry cheeses; drink now - 2018+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - recommended for its quality. Tasted Oct/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
Chilensis Lazuli 2010, Do Maule Valley
Maule Valley, Chile$14.75
The 2010 Chilensis Lazuli is composed of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 16% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 9% Syrah and 8% Carmenére that was aged for 12-14 months in 70/30% French/American Oak. It has intense aromas of vanilla, black fruit and subtle leather. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry/dry, fruity wine, with checked acidity, grippy tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a long vanilla finish. Enjoy on-its-own; drink now – 2020. The wine I tasted unfortunately had a light cork taint and though I was able to structurally asses it, the above-mentioned complexity is only a subset of what this blend should have – still my impression: NICE, score at least 88 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
Marchesi De' Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2011, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
The 2011 Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni, composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese, has intense aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, cherry and oak. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, grippy tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium finish. Food friendly; drink now – 2016/18. My impression: NICE, 88-89. Tasted at 'Taste Italy 2013' http://grapeselections.com/taste-italy-2013/ in 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
Montecillo Gran Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$30.95
The 2005 Montecillo Gran Reserva has captivating bouquet full of dried cherry, wood, light vanilla, allspice and subtle dried mushroom notes. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated to aged wine; with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1+ hours – more than 2 hr is even better) and a long, clean, vanilla/woody finish. Drink with food or sip on its own; drink now – 2020? My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – a classic, well made Rioja that is slightly too $$, but recommended for its quality. 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
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2010
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
The 2010 Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi Chianti Nipozzano Riserva, aged in oak barriques for 27 months, has fruity aromas of cherry, raspberry and dusty wood on the nose and cherry on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with refreshing acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink now to 2018 (long cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 87 pts. Tasted Apr/15.
.
Earlier review: The 2010 Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi Chianti Nipozzano Riserva, composed of 92% Sangiovese, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, has intense aromas of dried cherry, cedar, anise and oak on the nose and dried cherry and pomegranate on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with good acidity, dusty tannins and medium finish. It is food friendly; drink now – 2016+. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted at 'Taste Italy 2013' http://grapeselections.com/taste-italy-2013/ in 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
Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Mendocino County
California, Usa$19.95
The 2011 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested from organically grown grapes, has intense aromas of blackberry, stems, faint eucalyptus and oak + vanilla. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long, chalky, vanilla finish. Drink with food or bring to a party; drink now – 2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Dec/13 at iYellow Cave.
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
Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Puente Alto
Maipo Valley, Chile$21.95
The 2011 Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon , aged in French Oak barrels for 18 months, is nicely aromatic with blackberry, black cherry as well as woody/light vanilla notes. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with forward acidity, refined tannins (decant for 60 min) and a medium to long and smooth finish. Drink with food or sip on its own; drink now till 2018+. My impression: NICE, 88+ pts – the wine was closed and would benefit from longer decanting. 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
Pan Riserva Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2010, Dop
Abruzzo, Italy$19.95
The 2010 Pan Riserva Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has attractive aromas of wood and cherry on the nose and dried cherry, dried pomegranate, integrated vanilla and wood on the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry, integrated wine; with fresh acidity, grippy tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly and a sipping wine; drink from now and for the next 5 or so years (cork enclosure). My impression: quite NICE, 89 pts – recommended for its quality and value (bought on bin-end sale). Tasted September/15.
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)A
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, South Island
Marlborough, New Zealand$19.95
The 2012 Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, from Southern and WaihopaiValleys in Marlborough, has intense aromas of petrol and leechie on both the nose and palate. It is a medium to full bodied, dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, soft tannins and a lightly oaked, medium finish. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 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
Montecillo Rioja Reserva 2008
Rioja, Spain$23.00
The 2008 Montecillo Reserva, aged in oak for at least 3 years, has light notes of yeasty/earthy cherry, dark chocolate and oak. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with forward acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium finish. It is a food friendly wine; drink now - 2016. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87-88 pts. Tasted Jan/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)