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
Lindemans Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$14.95
I generally stay away from screw caped wines, but I decided to give this one a try. This medium bodied wine has aromas of bilberry, coconut and oak and is a bit chalky. Tannins were none and the finish was medium. My impression: somewhere between NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE. Tasted Jan/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Terra D'aligi Tatone Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2006, Doc
Abruzzo, Italy$15.95
The LCBO introduced this vintage on Jan09/10 and then rereleased it again May29/10, perhaps due to its winning of Gold Medal at Vinitaly 2009. I tried it previously in February (see the lower review). Here, I review it again and even though the identification of components don't really differ (I am generally pretty consistent when reviewing the same bottle in a span of couple of months), my impression was quite different then from now. This time, I found this wine to be medium bodied with nice aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and BOLD oak and vanilla. The tannins were refined to tannic (decant for 30 min or longer) and the finish was medium to long and smooth. This wine has the potential to nicely evolve for the next 5 or so years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts. Tasted May/10. I would recommend this wine for lovers of bold vanilla and oak, and this time, I would consider buying it again.
Previous review:
This is a nicely woody wine with aromas of pine, oak, coconut and vanilla as well as with berry scents of black currant and black cherry. It is aromatic, smooth and silky with refined tannins, medium to full body and medium finish and needs about 30 min to open. Should cost up to $15 and thought this wine was somewhat one-dimensional I still liked it, but would not purchase it again. My impression: NICE. Tasted Feb/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Rapel Valley
Chile$15.95
I am a real fan of the 2007 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON (398800), which I managed to stock up on. This younger sibling is much less eventful; it has medium body, it is not nearly as aromatic and it is little too earthy for my liking. You will perceive cherry, back berry, black cherry and prune scents, but mainly you will taste Earth (but not overwhelmingly). The wine is young and tannic, the finish is medium and the aging potential is probably more than 5 years. Cellaring for at least 2 years should help it to evolve. My impression: NICE. Tasted Mar/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
San Martino Salice Salentino Riserva Rosso 2004, Doc
Puglia, Italy$14.95
This light to medium bodied, slightly aromatic wine has notes of raspberry, cherry, violets and pine. It starts off as slightly acidic, has subtle tannins and opens up after 30 min to an hour. This wine is a bit rustic and my impression is: NOTHING SPECIAL. Tasted Mar/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Boutari Naoussa 2007, Aohq Naoussa
Greece$13.95
If you are thinking about getting this wine, you gotta love tannins and lots of them. This light bodied, nicely aromatic wine has integrated notes of red currant, cedar and liquorice. It is tannic (decant for longer than 1 hour) and has a medium finish. This one should be laid away for few years at least, but judging by the light body, I am not sure it is worth it (but I am probably wrong). I actually am a fan of wines with tannins that are refined or tannic (firm) and my impression was: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted Aug/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Dona Baissas Vieilles Vignes Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2007
Languedoc, France$14.90
This medium bodied aromatic wine has integrated notes of bilberry, black cherry, leather, cedar and coconut. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is long. This wine is good to drink now or will nicely age for the next five plus years. No wonder why it received a silver medal at Concours Mondial Bruxelles in 2009. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - highly recommended buy. Tasted Aug/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Chilensis Reserva Carmenère 2008, Maule Valley
Chile$14.95
Foremost, I must point out that this release of 2008 Chilensis Reserva Carmenère is not the same wine as the one that was released on April 3rd 2010, which I still have in my cellar and was able to refer to. First, its lacking complexity - it is medium bodied with fruity notes reminiscent of blackberry/pomegranate juice with a tough of raspberry. Second, despite refined tannins the finish is moderate and third, it's a screw top - not worth aging. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87 pts - should belong more so in the under $10 category. Tasted Jan/11
Previous rating: This fruity, medium to full bodied Carmenere has aromas of vanilla and amalgamated blackberry, blueberry, black cherry. To my pleasant surprise, the usual Carmenere greenery (green pepper note) is completely absent. It has refined tannins (decant for 15 to 30 min) and medium to long finish. It should evolve nicely for the next 5 years at least with the fruit easing off and spicy and animal notes coming forth. I bought this wine when it came out on Apr 03/10, but didn't have a chance to try it until now, when it is too late - the LCBO is sold out. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL and great buy. Tasted May/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Lailey Vineyard Merlot 2007, VQA Niagara River
Ontario, Canada$20.25
This Ontario Merlot from the amazing 2007 vintage has a medium body and fruity aromas of red currant, blackberry and green pepper. The tannins are subtle and the finish is medium. It would benefit from couple of years in the cellar. My impression: NICE but a bit pricey. Tasted Apr/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Lagarde Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Mendoza
Argentina$12.95
I was pleasantly surprised with this fruity to integrated, medium bodied Cabernet. It has aromas of black currant, smoke and Earth as well as pronounced cedar notes. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium to long. It is good to drink now or can be aged for the next 4 years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89.5 pts - recommended buy. Tasted May/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Fortius Reserva 2004, Do Navarra
Spain$13.65
I always eagerly await anything that LCBO releases from Bodegas Fortius/Valcarlos, as their products are outstanding and for a great price. This wine is a bit disappointing, however. It is medium bodied, slightly acidic with integrated to aged notes of red currant, cherry, Earth and leather. The tannins are refined to tannic (decant for longer than 30 min) and the finish is medium. It is good to drink now or should evolve for the next 4 years (LCBO may just do that for us, as I foresee inadequate retail). My impression: NICE (when properly decanted), 88 pts. This wine should sell under $14, as it is not on the same level as its previously released siblings in comparable price range. Tasted May/10.
If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V