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
Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2007
Tuscany, Italy$69.95
The 2007 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino has captivating bouquet of mushrooms, barnyard and dried cherry on the nose and pomegranate, dried cherry, vanilla and wood on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with forward acidity, dusty tannins and a long, smooth and silky finish. Drink now – 2025+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 94+ pts – recommended for its quality. This wine will be available as 'future classics' at the LCBO. Tasted Mar/14 http://grapeselections.com/benvenuto-brunello/
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
Bachelder Wismer Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$44.95
This wine was re-reviewed one+ year later and shows the potential of wine aging:
The 2011 Bachelder Niagara Wismer Vineyard Chardonnay has seductive aromas of subtle limestone minerality, pear, butter and vanilla on the nose and yellow apple, pear and gooseberry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with crisp acidity and a creamy, oak influenced yet fruit-forward finish of long length. This is a sipper; drink now and for the next 5++ years (cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92-93 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Jul/14 at 'Barrels & Bonfires (i4C 2014)' http://grapeselections.com/i4c-2014/.
The 2011 Bachelder Wismer Vineyard Chardonnay has intense aromas of pear, yellow apple, butter, light vanilla and oak. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with forward acidity, slightly tannic and a long oaky/vanilla finish. This is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink now- 2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts. Tasted in Jul/13 at 'i4C 2013' http://grapeselections.com/i4c-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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Burrowing Owl Athene 2010, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$44.95
The 2010 Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Athene is composed of 60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that were co-fermented (an uncommon practice for fine wines) and then aged in French and American oaks (60/40% - 40% new) for 18 months before bottling. The wine has succulent bouquet composed of black currant, blackberry, blueberry, cedar, leather and toasted vanilla on the nose and figs, black currant, leather, vanilla and oak on the palate. It is a full bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with fresh acidity, dusty/refined tannins and a long and silky finish. This is a sipper that should be enjoyed uninterrupted; drink now till 2020++ (cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 92-93 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Nov/14 http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
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
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2008
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
The 2008 Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino, composed of 100% Sangiovese that was aged in French Oak for 36 months, has intense aromas of cigar box, pine, faint leather, dried cherry and pomegranate on the nose and dried cherry and cigar box on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; balanced with good, mouthwatering acidity, drying tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a long and silky finish. Enjoy on-its-own; drink now to 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended for its quality and value. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Journey's End Shiraz Single Vineyard 2007, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
The 2007 Journey's End Shiraz Single Vineyard, aged in French Oak barrels for 18 months, has intense aromas of yogurty raspberry, blackberry and vanilla. It is a full bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly yet quite enjoyable by itself; drink now – 2018. My impression: NICE, 90 pts – recommended for its quality. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Wolf Blass White Label Chardonnay 2012, Adelaide Hills
South Australia, Australia$40.00
The 2012 Wolf Blass White Label Chardonnay, grown in the cool Adelaide Hills, is deeply aromatic with notes of lees, stems, butter scotch, quince and faint barrel-wood and struck match. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward, crisp acidity and a medium 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
4.0 Stars
Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Yarra Valley
Victoria, Australia$35.00
The 2012 Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir has intense aromas of wet slate minerality and lees as well as subtle pomegranate and raspberry notes. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with refreshing acidity, drying tannins and a medium to long finish. Drink with food; drink 2015 to 2018+. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. 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
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
The 2012 Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir has attractive aromas of mushrooms and barnyard on the nose and cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long finish. It is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink 2016 to 2020 as cellaring will enhance it further (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city-2014/ in Apr/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
Weingut Loimer Grüner Veltliner Terrassen 2012
Niederösterreich, Austria$39.95
The 2012 Loimer Langenlois Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Kamptal DAC Reserve, sourced from 20-40 year old vines and aged on fine lees for over 6 months; has rich aromas of green apple, melon, lemon, light butter and vanilla on the nose and green apple, lees, light butter and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with refreshing acidity and a long, creamy finish. Though food friendly, this is a sipping wine; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Apr/14 at 'Tasted with Andreas Wickhoff, Austria’s third Master of Wine, at the Fine Wine Reserve.' http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
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
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 23 Master Block Pinot Noir 2012, Awatare Valley
Marlborough, New Zealand$28.95
The 2012 Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block 23 Strip Block Pinot Noir, sourced from a single vineyard in Southern Valleys from clones 115, 114, Able, & 777 and aged in seasoned French Oak barriques for 10 months, has desirable aromas of smoke, oak, smoked meat, barnyard, vanilla and pomegranate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with crisp acidity, subtle tannins and a clean finish that lasts. This is a food friendly as well as sipping wine; drink now to 2022+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE, 91 pts – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted in May/14 at 'Tasted during New Zealand in a glass tasting' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-fair-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
4.0 Stars