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
Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve 2010, San Juan
Argentina$13.95
The 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve, aged in French and American Oak for 12 months, is a medium to full bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of strawberry, blackberry and clove. It has a good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly, yet can be enjoyed by itself; drink now - 2018. My impression: NICE, 88 pts - recommended buy - value/$. Tasted Sept/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
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011, Colchagua Valley
Chile$9.95
The 2011 Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec that was aged in oak for 10 months, has intense aromas of toasted oak, smoke, dates, prune, dark chocolate, black cherry and vanilla. It is an extra-dry, full-bodied, fruity to integrated wine; with good acidity, refined tannins and medium to long finish. This wine goes well with food (grilled meats) or can be enjoyed by itself; drink now – 2018+ (screw cap). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – for $10 this wine over-delivers; recommended for its quality and value. I have the 2008 vintage in my ‘cellar’ and it has been aging beautifully. 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)G
Errazuriz Estate Carmenere 2011, Rapel Valley
Rapel Valley, Chile$7.95
The 2011 Errazuriz Estate Carmenere is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of raspberry, blackberry, smoke, oak and vanilla. It has refined, dusty tannins (decant for 30 min), is on the acidic side and has a medium to long finish. It is food friendly; drink 2015-17 - cellar standing up (screw cap). My impression: NICE, 88 pts - not a usual Carmenere, yet a nice wine altogether. Tasted Jan/13.
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Marqués De Riscal 2011, Rueda
Spain$12.80
The 2011 Marqués De Riscal, made from 100% Verdejo, has intense aromas of green apple and zesty citrus. It is quite light bodied, extra-dry and fruity, with notable acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food for its palate cleansing properties; drink now – 2015. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 86 pts – $1.00 OFF - Limited Time Offer till May 26/13. 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)G
Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$12.95
The 2011 Jackson-Triggs Reserve Series Chardonnay is a medium bodied wine with appealing notes of pear, subtle mint and green pepper, oak and faint vanilla (on the finish). It is well balanced; it needs to be opened for 30 min+ after which it has a perfectly oaky finish of medium to long length. This wine would go great with any crustaceans of your choice as well as being sipped by itself. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 88-89 pts – would highly recommend this wine and for $10.95 is a steal. Tasted Oct/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/trickledown/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Jackson Triggs Proprietors’ Reserve Meritage 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$13.95
This JT is light to medium bodied with fruity aromas of black currant. Tannins are refined and the finish is medium. I suggest decanting time to be between 30 min to 1 hr for the acidity to mellow down. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Velletri Terre Dei Volsci Riserva 2004, Velletri Doc
Italy$14.85
The 2004 Velletri Terre Dei Volsci Riserva, available in the general section, is medium to full bodied, sweet wine that has appealing notes of prune, bilberry, black cherry, caramel, oak and cut hay. It's still pretty fruit forward, yet on the integrated side, has refined tannins and a medium finish. It can easily age for another 5 years and will most likely evolve nicely. My impression: NICE. Tasted Feb/10 and again in Nov/10 during Italian wine tasting where it was generally well received.
The 2005 Velletri Terre Dei Volsci Riserva is a medium bodied, aged wine, with appealing aromas of strawberry, raspberry and leather. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium. Drink this food friendly wine now and for the next couple of years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Aug/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Fuseiro Touriga Nacional 2004, Doc Douro, Quinta Do Fonte Nova, Soutelo Do Douro
Portugal$19.95
This wine made from 100% Touriga Nacional grape made in Duoro valley won a GOLD medal in 2008 Wine Master’s Challenge - X Portugal wine contest. It is integrated, light to medium bodied, with aromas of red currant, cedar and vanilla. This wine is nicely aromatic upon opening and it is smooth and silky. The tannins are nice, somewhere between refined and tannic, the finish is medium and the wine needs about 30 min to 1 hour to open. It is good to drink now and probably will age nicely till 2015-2020. My impression: NICE. Tasted Mar/10. I think this wine is little bit too pricey though.
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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Valcarlos Gran Reserva 1999, Do Navarra
Spain$21.95
This wine, together with Fortius Gran Reserva 1999 (114363) have both won two gold medals at the Challenge International du Vin 2008 in Bordeaux, France and the International Tempranillos al Mundo 2008 competition in Stockholm. Frankly, they come from the same winery and I suspect that they are quite similar – perhaps I should taste them side by side to know for sure. This medium bodied, aromatic wine has light, aged fruit and contains oak, pine and Earth notes. The wine is smooth, silky, with refined tannins and has a long to extra long finish. It is great to drink now and should last for another 5 years at least. It should be open for 30 min to get it to fully express itself. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE. Tasted Dec/09.
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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Terre Di Verona Ripasso Valpolicella 2006, Doc
Veneto, Italy$17.95
This Ripasso is smooth, medium bodied with aromas of cherry compote and green pepper. The tannins are subtle (decant for less than 30 min) and the finish is medium. It is a rather uneventful Ripasso for this price. My impression is somewhere between NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE and I would not buy it again. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V