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
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 23 Master Block Pinot Noir 2012, Awatare Valley
Marlborough, New Zealand$28.95
The 2012 Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block 23 Strip Block Pinot Noir, sourced from a single vineyard in Southern Valleys from clones 115, 114, Able, & 777 and aged in seasoned French Oak barriques for 10 months, has desirable aromas of smoke, oak, smoked meat, barnyard, vanilla and pomegranate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with crisp acidity, subtle tannins and a clean finish that lasts. This is a food friendly as well as sipping wine; drink now to 2022+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE, 91 pts – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted in May/14 at 'Tasted during New Zealand in a glass tasting' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-fair-2014/.
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
Wolf Blass White Label Chardonnay 2012, Adelaide Hills
South Australia, Australia$40.00
The 2012 Wolf Blass White Label Chardonnay, grown in the cool Adelaide Hills, is deeply aromatic with notes of lees, stems, butter scotch, quince and faint barrel-wood and struck match. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward, crisp acidity and a medium finish. This is a sipping wine despite being food friendly; drink now – 2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for its quality.
Tasted at Australia Today 2014 Trade show http://grapeselections.com/australian-wine/ in Feb/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
Château Genot Boulanger Clos Du Cromin Meursault 2010, Ac
Burgundy, France$40.25
The 2010 Château Genot Boulanger Clos Du Cromin Meursault has intense aromas of lees and light citrus. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with forward, crisp acidity and a slightly oaky finish of medium length. It is food friendly or can be sipped by itself; drink now – 2016. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for quality. Tasted at International Cool Climate Chardonnay – i4C event July/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
Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Yarra Valley
Victoria, Australia$35.00
The 2012 Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir has intense aromas of wet slate minerality and lees as well as subtle pomegranate and raspberry notes. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with refreshing acidity, drying tannins and a medium to long finish. Drink with food; drink 2015 to 2018+. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted at Australia Today 2014 Trade show http://grapeselections.com/australian-wine/ in Feb/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
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2009, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$34.95
The 2009 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of dusty cherry, dates and woody notes. It has a good structure, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long, smooth finish. Drink now to 2018. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted Dec/12.
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
Caprili Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2008
Tuscany, Italy$80.75
The 2008 Caprili Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino has intense aromas of lees, cherry and faint barnyard on the nose and pomegranate, red currant, cherry, oak and faint vanilla on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with forward acidity, grippy tannins and a long finish (decant as this wine has quite a bit of sediment). Drink now – 2025. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Mar/14 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)
Exultet Estates 'the Blessed' Chardonnay 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$40.00
The 2011 Exultet 'the Blessed' Chardonnay spent 12 months in French Oak barrels giving it concentrated aromas of buttery oak, coconut and buttery pear. It is a full-bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with good acidity and a long, smooth, buttery oak, finish. This wine will complement BBQ’d meats as well as will reward simply on its own. Rated 91-92 pts and recommended based on quality. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city/ in April/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
Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard 2008, Knights Valley
California, Usa$84.95
The 2008 Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard, a Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French Oak for 19 months, has concentrated aromas of black cherry, black currant and blackberry, toasted oak and vanilla. It is full bodied, integrated, with balanced acidity, refined tannins and a long, silky, sweet-vanillin-filled finish. Drink as a sipper; drink now and for the remainder of this decade. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended wine, though at a hefty price. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2011, Qmp
Mosel, Germany$29.95
The Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinet 2011 has slightly volatile as well as yellow pear notes. It is a medium bodied, sweet, fruit forward wine, with checked acidity and a medium finish that is faintly sulfurous. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts - wine for this price should deliver much more. Tasted during Riesling & Co. World Tour 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Studert Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2011, Prädikatswein, Gutsabfüllung
Mosel, Germany$19.95
The 2011 Studert-Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinet has light aromas of sulphur that quickly dissipate, after which sweet, yellow apple notes emerge. It is a medium bodied, sweet, fruity wine, with good acidity and a medium finish. Serve as an aperitif or after dinner palate refresher; drink on its own for the next 2 years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts - I can not be sure this was a bad bottle, for this price this wine deserves to be tasted again. Tasted during Riesling & Co. World Tour 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V