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
Wente Southern Hills Livermore 12 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
California, Usa$15.95
The 2011 Wente Cabernet Sauvignon Southern Hills, aged in American, French and Eastern European Oaks for 14 months, has intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, black currant and vanilla on the nose and figs, oak and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with checked acidity, refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly or enjoy it as a sipper; drink now to 2020+. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts – recommended buy based on quality to price ratio. Tasted at Churchill Cellars Portfolio tasting May/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections and
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Gran Feudo Reserva 2007, Navarra
Navarra, Spain$16.95
The 2007 Chivite Gran Feudo Reserva, composed of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged in new French Oak barrels for 18 months, has concentrated aromas of cherry, raspberry, vanilla and subtle cedar and pine. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with checked acidity, refined tannins and a finish of medium length. Enjoy with food; drink now and for the next 5+ years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts – recommended for its value. Tasted at Churchill Cellars Portfolio tasting 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
Château Des Charmes Cuvée D'andrée Rosé 2012, Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$14.95
The 2012 Chateau Des Charmes Cuvée D'andrée Rosé, composed entirely of Pinot Noir, has appealing aromas of raspberry, citrus and mineral notes on the nose and strawberry and raspberry on the palate. It is a sweeter (dry in LCBO terms), medium bodied, fruity wine, with balanced acidity and a medium, clean finish. This is a food friendly wine or early afternoon refresher; drink while young now to 2015. My impression: NICE, 88 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
Philippe Portier Quincy 2011, Ac
Loire, France$14.25
The 2011 Domaine Philippe Portier, composed of 100% Sauvignon Blanc, has intense aromas of pear, zest, minerality and light woody-steminess. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food or as a sipper; drink now – 2018. My impression: NICE, 90 pts Tasted at 'Loire Valley Tasting' http://grapeselections.com/Loire-Valley-tasting/ in 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
Pocketwatch Shiraz 2011, Central Ranges
Australia$16.05
The 2011 Tik Tok Pocketwatch Shiraz has elegant aromas of eucalyptus, graphite, pine, black cherry and blackberry on the nose and oak, vanilla, figs and red currant on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with refreshing acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long, silky finish. This is a sipping wine, drink now to 2018+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended for both, its quality and value. Tasted in Feb/15 at 'Shiraz Week at iYellow Wine Cave' 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
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Earth And Sky Riesling 2011, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$6.45
The 2011 Earth And Sky Riesling is a part of new series of wines that just recently came out of the winery. It has appealing aromas of yellow and green apple as well as subtle mineral notes. It is a light bodied, dry, fruity wine with forward acidity and a finish of medium length. It is food friendly or can simply be enjoyed by itself, drink now-2016. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts – well priced. Tasted August/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
Flat Rock Pinot Noir 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
The 2011 Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir, aged in French Oak for 12 months, has intense aromas of toast, rosehip, dates, prune and subtle vanilla. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with forward acidity, notable tannins and a medium to long finish. Drink this wine with food; drink now – 2018. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts – good value wine. Tasted at ‘Taste Ontario 2013’ http://grapeselections.com/taste-ontario-2013/ in October/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
Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, New Zealand$13.95
The 2013 Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc has captivating aromas of longan fruit, pineapple, zest, green apple, light honey and soapy minerality. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with crisp acidity and a light, honey-coating, medium finish. It is a food friendly or sipping wine; drink now – 2015+. My impression: quite NICE, 89 pts - recommended for its quality and value. 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
Banfi Centine 2011, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$15.95
The 2011 Banfi Toscana Centine Rosso that is composed of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, has appealing notes of yeasty blackberry and black cherry on the nose and red currant and cherry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, subtle to refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium finish. Drink with food; 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
Wyndham Bin 555 Shiraz 2012, Southeastern Australia
Australia$12.95
The 2012 Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz has expressive aromas of blackberry, black & red currants, together with subtle eucalyptus and graphite on the nose and blackberry with prune on the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with crisp acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. Drink with food - now to 2019+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE, 87-88 pts – with this complexity, the wine would score higher if it wasn’t for its notable sugar level, recommended none-the-less - especially when on LCBO's limited time offer usually once a year. Tasted in Feb/15 at 'Shiraz Week at iYellow Wine Cave' 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
3.0 Stars
(0)G