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
Red Knot Mclaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mclaren Vale
Australia$18.05
The 2009 Red Knot Mclaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon has medium body, it is un-aromatic with fruity notes of strawberry on the palate. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. The enclosure is plastic setting the aging potential to only 1 to 2 years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 85 pts - quite an expensive buy for the steep $18. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Viña Honda Crianza 2006, Do Jumilla
Spain$17.95
The 2006 Viña Honda Crianza is medium bodied, fruity to INTEGRATED wine with intense aromas of cherry, pine, oak and vanilla. The wine has a nice structure with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and medium to long finish. Drink now or cellar for 5 to 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89.5 pts and a recommended buy. I am quite puzzled as to why some of the critics give it such a low score, perhaps they had a somewhat off bottle at the tasting? 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Umberto Fiore Barbaresco 2006
Piedmont, Italy$18.75
The 2006 Umberto Fiore Barbaresco that really is for $17 (unbelievable), is light bodied wine with nice aromas of integrated violets, cedar, liquorice on the nose and raspberry, red currant, coconut and vanilla on the palate. It is bit off balance with slightly higher acidity, with tannins that are refined to tannic (decant for 15 to 30 min) and finish that is long and smooth, but slightly alcoholic. Drink now or cellar for 5 or so years, I wouldn't expect it to get much better. My impression: NICE, 88.5 pts and a recommended buy. A side note, it is crafted to be quite food friendly - especially beef, and I agree with Steve Thurlow's review, but not with the score. Tasted Oct/11.
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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Tierra Alta Reserva Carmenère 2007, Maule Valley
Chile$13.95
The 2007 Tierra Alta Reserva Carmenère is a medium to full bodied, FRUITY to integrated wine with nice aromas of coffee, prune and green pepper. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 min) and the finish is medium to long. It is good now, but will get better as it ages; drink 2014-2018. My impression: NICE, 88.5 pts – a recommended buy and a good value for $14. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
14 Hands Hot To Trot Red 2009, Washington State
Washington, Usa$15.95
This review is for the 2010 - 14 Hands Hot To Trot Red is composed of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre aged in French and American Oak for 6 months. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with pleasant aromas of cherry/black cherry, dark chocolate, oak and vanilla. It has refined tannins (decant for 15 min), is off-dry and has a long finish. This wine has a mass appeal - can be drunk with food or as a sipper, it will benefit from short term cellaring; drink 2012-2015. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted Oct/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$16.95
The 2009 Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz is full bodied, fruity wine, with nice aromas of yogurty blackberry, bilberry, oak, coconut, vanilla and green pepper. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 1 hour) and medium to long finish. Its ready to drink now or hold for short term. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - good value and a recommended buy. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Quinta Da Rigodeira Baga 2005, Doc Bairrada, Unfiltered
Bairrada, Portugal$13.95
The 2005 Quinta Da Rigodeira Baga is light to medium bodied, integrated wine with nice aromas of red currant, cherry and oak on the nose and coconut and vanilla on the palate and finish. Tannins are refined to tannic and the finish is medium to long. It is good to drink now or can be kept for 5 more years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts and a recommended buy. The wine really needs to be decanted for 1 hour in order for it to open up (otherwise you would think another $9 Portuguese would do a better justice). 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.
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese & Canaiolo 2007, Doc Rosso Di Torgiano
Umbria, Italy$17.95
The 2007 Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese & Canaiolo is a medium bodied, integrated wine, with nice aromas of red berries, coffee, leather, cedar and rosemary. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for 30 to 60 min) and the finish is medium and a bit acidic. Best 2014-2018. My impression: NICE, 88 pts. Tasted Dec/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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Goats Do Roam White 2011, Wo Western Cape
South Africa$11.95
The 2011 Goats Do Roam White is a light to medium bodied wine with notes of citrus, green apple and green pear. It is bit sweet and has a medium finish. My impression: NICE, 87 pts – good value, though not the best. Tasted Jan/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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Skuttlebutt Shiraz/Cabernet 2008, Margaret River
Western Australia, Australia$18.95
The 2008 Stella Bella Skuttlebutt Shiraz/Cabernet - composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon + 42% Shiraz + 8% Merlot; has attractive aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, black cherry and subtle lees. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with good – forward/refreshing acidity, dusty/refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V