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
Terredora Aglianico 2008, Igt Campania
Campania, Italy$15.95
The 2008 Terredora Aglianico is medium bodied, bit bretty and with FRUITY to integrated notes of strawberry, cherry and oak. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium to long and smooth. It should be laid down for couple of years to come together and should last till the end of this decade. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87.5 pts. Tasted Apr/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Allegrini Valpolicella 2011, Doc
Veneto, Italy$12.20
The 2011 Allegrini Valpolicella has dense notes of black cherry, blackberry and pomegranate. It is a medium to full bodied, off-dry, fruity wine; has forward acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. It is food friendly; drink now and for the next 5 years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – good value. Tasted April/13 at WineAlign Cru tasting.
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
Tenuta Sant'antonio Monti Garbi Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2008, Doc
Veneto, Italy$17.95
The 2008 Tenuta Sant'antonio Monti Garbi Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore is a medium bodied, fruity wine with notes of red currant, cedar, faint green pepper and coconut. Tannins are subtle (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. It will benefit from cellaring for 2-3 years, drink 2013-2016. My impression: NICE, 88 pts - it was a good buy for $15.95 when it was on sale, but not so much at $2 more. Tasted Oct/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Bodegas Hermanos Laredo Senorio De Laredo Gran Reserva 1998, Doca Rioja
Spain$25.95
The 1998 Bodegas Hermanos Laredo Senorio De Laredo Gran Reserva, composed of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 10% Graciano, is medium bodied, intensely aromatic, INTEGRATED to aged wine. On the nose, leather, oak and coconut show, whereas the palate displays cherry, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and in balance with acidity, resulting in a nice long finish. It is ready to drink now, but since it is still quite youthful for a 1998 vintage, it can still be cellared for 5 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts and definitely recommended buy. Tasted June/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009, Rapel Valley
Chile$14.95
The 2009 Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Gran Reserva Carmenère, aged in French oak for 12 months. It is medium to full bodied, FRUITY to integrated wine with nice aromas of coconut and vanilla on the nose, and blackberry, prune and green pepper on the palate. It has a nice structure, with refined tannins (decant for 30 min), nice acidity and a long and smooth finish. It is ready to drink now or can be cellared for the next 5 to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - an unbelievable value for $15 and a recommended buy. Tasted Sept/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Viticcio Bere 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$17.25
The 2007 Viticcio Bere, composed of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cab. Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, is medium bodied, integrated wine with faint notes of prune and oak on the nose and green pepper and coconut on the palate. The structure is a bit disjoint with refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long finish. My impression: NICE, 87.5 pts. Tasted July/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
Cantina Cooperativa Cantanhede Marques De Marialva Reserva Baga 2007, Doc Bairrada
Bairrada, Portugal$13.15
The 2007 Cantina Cooperativa Cantanhede Marques De Marialva Reserva Baga, a regional grape (Baga/Bairrada) that spent 12 months in French and American oak. It is a medium bodied, integrated wine with nice aromas of cherry, oak and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. Drink now or hold for short term. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 88 pts - simple, nice but a bit pricey for what it is. Tasted Oct/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
El Principal Calicanto 2009, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$14.65
The 2009 El Principal Calicanto, aged in French oak for 13 months, is a full bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of pronounced forest underbrush/greenage, black berry, bilberry and vanilla. It has a nice minerality, refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a medium to long finish. Still too young now, so lay down for several years, drink 2013/4-2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - used to be $17.95, now for $14.65 makes it a good buy - give this one a try. Tasted Apr/12.
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
Cantine Riondo Vinea Corvina 2007, Igt Veronese
Veneto, Italy$12.95
The 2007 Cantine Riondo Vinea Corvina, a single varietal that is usually found to be the main grape in Amarone, is light to medium bodied, with integrated notes of cedar and liquorice on the nose and red currant, cherry and coconut on the palate. It is nicely structured with refreshing acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a bit sweet, medium finish. Drink now or hold for short term - up to 5 years. My impression: very NICE, 87 pts - not complex, but quite enjoyable especially for this price – highly recommended wine. Tasted Oct/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/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Joffré E Hijas Grand Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$18.95
"The 2007 Joffré E Hijas Grand Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested from old vines and then aged for 10 months in oak before bottling, has fullish nose of blackberry, figs, blackcurrant, graphite and faint eucalyptus. It is a full bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with checked acidity, refined tannins and a long, smooth, tongue-coating finish. It is both food and sipping friendly; drink now – 2020+, evolution potential +1. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 (+1) pts – recommended for both its quality and value. Tasted 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)V