Dan Trcka
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Followers (47)
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Following (5)
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Reviews (1015)
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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
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
Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino 2008
Tuscany, Italy$57.95
The 2008 Loacker Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino, also aged in oak for 48 months, has appealing aromas of dried cherry, lees, wood and clove that are little light on the nose, but the palate full of cranberry, pomegranate, dried cherry notes make up for it. It is light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with good acidity, refined tannins and a smooth and silky finish of great length. Drink now – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92-93 pts – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted in Mar/14 at 'Benvenuto Brunello' 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
(0)V
Finca Constancia Altos De La Finca 2011, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla
Spain$21.95
The 2011 Finca Constancia Altos de la Finca, composed of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Syrah that was aged for 18 months in new French Oak barrels, has expressive and seductive aromas of forest needles, toast, oak, vanilla, graphite and black cherry on the nose and inky black cherry, plum, cranberry, oak and light lees on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; still UNBALANCED with edgy/tart acidity, dusty tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long, silky finish. Currently, this wine should be enjoyed with food, but in couple of years it should evolve into a beautiful sipper once the acidity further integrates (Evolution potential +1 to 3 pts) – drink 2016/17-2025 (long cork enclosure). My impression: NICE now, but will be BEAUTIFUL down the road, 90 (+1-3 Ep) pts – recommended especially for its quality (if you can cellar it), but value as well. Tasted in Jan/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
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
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2007
Tuscany, Italy$45.95
The 2007 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino, aged in oak for 3 years, has captivating bouquet of toast, subtle leather, vanilla, oak, spice and cherry on the nose and cherry and pine on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and an extra-long, smooth finish. Enjoy this beauty on its own; drink now till 2022+ (cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 93 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Nov/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
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
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
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
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