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
Don Jacobo Reserva 2004
Rioja, Spain$21.95
Dan Trcka
The 2004 Don Jacobo Reserva, composed of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha that was aged in oak for 14 months, has intense aromas of black currant, leather, mushroom, oak and vanilla. It is a medium bodied, integrated to aged wine; is bit acidic, has refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long finish. Food friendly, but better to sip this one; thought the fruit is drying out it should still be good until 2016-18. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts - recommended wine for aged wine lovers, excellent price!!!!!! 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Sebastiani Merlot 2007, Sonoma County
California, Usa$17.00
The 2007 Sebastiani Merlot has intense aromas of black currant, figs, smoked meat, toasted oak and vanilla. It is medium bodied, integrated, with balanced acidity and grippy tannins (decant for 30 min) and with a medium to long, smooth finish. It is a sipper and will go well with food; drink now – 2018. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended based on both value and 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
3.0 Stars
(0)V
The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend 2010, North Coast
California, Usa$15.95
The 2010 The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend 2010 is composed of 6 grape varieties: 78% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 6% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Syrah, 1% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, then aged in oak for 14 months. It has intense aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, nutmeg and toasted oak. It is a full bodied, off-dry, fruity to integrated wine; has forward acidity, refined tannins and a long finish. Drink with food or as a standalone sipper; enjoy now and for the next 3-5 years (composite cork). My impression: NICE, 88 pts – well put together, nice addition to LCBO's general listing. 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
Chateau Des Charmes Aligoté 2011, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$10.65
The 2011 Château Des Charmes Aligoté, sourced from a single vineyard that was planted in 1991, has intense aromas of green apple, wet stones and faint hawthorn. It is light to medium bodied, dry, has subtle tannins, refreshing acidity and a medium, slightly woody finish. It is food friendly and can go well with not-too-hot foods. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – well priced, even without being on sale for $12.95. 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
Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$18.95
The 2009 Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in used oak barrels for 10 months, has appealing aromas of eucalyptus, stems, black cherry and subtle wood/pine influence. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a medium to long, smooth and chalky finish. This wine is food friendly as well as a sipper; it will benefit from cellaring – drink now/2014 to 2018+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 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)V
Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Western Cape
Western Cape, South Africa$11.95
The 2012 Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from 13 to 32 year old vines, has appealing aromas of lees, lemon/lime and gooseberry. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity and a mineral finish of medium length. Drink with food; drink now – 2016. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – well worth the $11.45. Tasted Dec/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
Inniskillin Niagara Estate Collection Riesling 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$11.95
The 2011 Inniskillin Niagara Estate Collection Riesling has appealing aromas of yellow apple, subtle minerality and some floral notes. It is a light bodied, off-dry wine, has somewhat acidic side and a medium finish. My impression: NICE, 86-87 pts – great value for under $13. 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
Hoya De Cadenas Reserva 2008
Spain$11.95
The 2008 Hoya De Cadenas Reserva, composed mainly of Tempranillo that was aged in American oak for 12 months, has intense aromas of black cherry, blueberry, oak and cedar on the nose and strawberry and black cherry on the palate. It is an extra-dry, medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine; has good acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly and can be enjoyed as a sipper; drink now and for the next 5 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 88 pts – recommended buy, especially now that it is on LCBO’s ‘limited time offer’ until April 28/13. Tasted April/13 at WineAlign Cru tasting.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/lcbo-deals/
and
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Cooper's Hawk Reserve Cabernet/Merlot 2008, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$18.95
The 2008 Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards Cabernet Merlot Reserve, composed of 50% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot that was aged in French Oak for 30 months, has elegant aromas of pine, old wood, lifted blackberry and subtle lees and vanilla on the nose and pomegranate and red currant with subtle wood on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with crisp acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long finish. This is a food friendly wine; as the fruit is diminishing, cellar only short term: drink now to 2017 (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts, recommended for its quality. Tasted in Oct/14 at 'Taste Ontario 2014' http://grapeselections.com/taste-ontario-2014/.
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
Mcguigan Black Label Shiraz 2012, South Eastern Australia
Australia$10.95
The 2012 McGuigan Black Label Shiraz is made with fuit sourced from vineyards in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales and is a wine designed to be a transition from whites to reds. It has attractive aromas of blackberry, plum, toast, oak and clove on the nose and plum and sweet vanillin on the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry/off-dry, fruity wine; with quite refreshing acidity, soft tannins and a medium, clean finish. This is food friendly wine, drink now - 2018 (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts - re-tasted privately. Tasted in May/14 at 'Tasted during McGuigan luncheon and wine tasting at CIBO restaurant ' http://grapeselections.com/mcguigan-wines/.
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