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
Montiverdi Vigneto Cipressone Chianti Classico 1998, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$24.95
It is unbelievable to find a 1998 Chianti at the LCBO and the unbelievable part is that it is for $25. This aged, light bodied wine has intense aromas of red berry compote, leather, pine and vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for half to one hour) and the finish is long with balanced acidity. At the beginning, the finish is a bit metallic, but if you wait, it will oxidize away. The closest wine I can compare this Chianti to is the Fortius Grand Reserva 1999 (LCBO# 114363 - no longer available), but about half as intense. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 91 pts - would highly recommend to try and to buy 4-6 bottles. Tasted July/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
Pasqua Villa Borghetti Passimento Rosso 2008, Igt Veneto
Veneto, Italy$13.95
The 2008 Pasqua Villa Borghetti Passimento Rosso, which won a Bronze Medal in Wine Decanter 2010 competition, is composed of Corvina, Croatina and Merlot. It is a light to medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing notes of red currant, pomegranate and some oak. It has refined tannins (decant for 30 min), has acidity that is still in check, yet borderline with being too acidic and a medium to long finish. Can be drunk now, but will be better 2014-2016. My impression: NICE, 88 pts - food friendly and excellent value for $12 - recommended buy. Tasted Mar/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Casa Lapostolle Carmenere 2008, Rapel Valley
Chile$15.95
The 2009 Casa Lapostolle Carmenere, from the general section, is medium bodied with fruity to integrated aromas of blackberry and green pepper. Tannins are dusty and tannic (decant for at least 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. Drink now and for next 5 years. My impression: NICE, 87.5 pts - a bit overpriced, yet still worth a try. Tasted Jan/11.
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)G
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rùfina Riserva 2006, Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
Any wine that I have tasted from the well known Marchesi De Frescobaldi winery has been outstanding, this one being no exception. This smooth, aromatic, light bodied wine, found in the general section of the LCBO (107276), has integrated scents of vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, bilberry and pine. The tannins are refined to tannic (open for 30 min to 1 hr) and the finish is medium to long. This wine can age easily for the next 10 years with each year softening its tannins. If you are a tannins fan then drink now, otherwise put away for couple of years. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL. 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)G
Wyndham Bin 555 Shiraz 2008, Southeastern Australia
Australia$12.95
The 2008 Wyndham Bin 555 Shiraz is full bodied, with fruity notes of black cherry, prune, cedar and coconut. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. The enclosure is a screw cap, hence I don't recommend conventional cellaring, but can last up to 5 years if standing. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts - worthwhile when on sale. Tasted Nov/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Solar Viejo Alavesa Crianza 2006, Doca Rioja
Spain$15.95
This nicely aromatic, medium bodied wine has FRUITY to integrated notes of red currant, prune and Earth. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts. I would not recommend this one as for a dollar more, there are far more superior wines that I can recommend. It should cost no more than $10 to $11. Tasted July/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
Montecillo Reserva 2005, Rioja
Spain$17.95
The 2006 Montecillo Reserva from the general section is medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated raspberry, coconut, oak and black pepper and vanilla spices. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is long and smooth and silky. It is at its prime and should retain its complexity for another 5 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - a well crafted wine that I would highly recommend. Tasted Jan/11.
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)G
Viña Chocalán Syrah Reserva 2007, Maipo Valley
Chile$14.95
The 2007 Viña Chocalán Syrah Reserva is full bodied with nice aromas of integrated blackberry, black cherry, coffee and cedar. Tannins are dusty and refined (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium and chalky. It will get better as it ages for the next 5 or so years. My impression: NICE, 90 pts - great value. Tasted Jan/11.
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
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Rhône Valley
Rhône, France$12.55
This fruity, medium bodied wine from the LCBO's general section has black cherry notes and "wet dog" brettyness. Tannins are refined and the finish is medium. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 84.5 pts. Tasted in Aug/10 during French wine tasting, not liked.
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)G
Puydeval 2008, Vin De Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$14.95
The 2008 Puydeval is full bodied, with fruity notes of yogurty prune and oak. Tannins are refined (decant for 1 to 2 hours) and the finish is medium and bit chalky. It has the potential to age and evolve for the next 5 to 10 years. My impression: NICE, 87 pts. Tasted Nov/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V