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
14 Hands Hot To Trot White Blend 2010, Washington Sate
Washington, Usa$8.75
The 14 Hands ‘Hot to Trot’ White 2010 is composed of mainly Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier and small amounts of other white grape varieties, of which small portion was aged in neutral oak barrels. It is a light to medium bodied wine, with light aromas of washed stones, subtle oak and coconut, light pear and citrus. It is dry, has a food friendly acidity and a medium finish. Drink this wine with food at dinner parties; ready to drink now and will be for the next 2-3 years. Score 87-88 pts. Tasted Nov/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
Château Des Charmes Cabernet/Merlot 2009, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$12.95
The 2009 Château Des Charmes Cabernet-Merlot, composed of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that was aged in French Oak for 9 months, is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of milky cherry, earth, oak and lees. It is on the acidic side, is tannic (decant for 2+ hours) and has a medium finish. It is quite food friendly with tomato based dishes; Drink 2015-2018. Scored 86 pts. Tasted Feb/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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Generation Seven Gamay Nouveau 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$11.95
The 2012 Generation Seven Gamay Nouveau is a medium bodied, fruity wine with fruitful aromas of raspberry and blackberry and hint of black peppercorn. It has subtle tannins (no need for decanting) and a short finish. It is food friendly table wine meant to be drunk young - drink in the next 4-6 months. Rated 86 pts. Tasted Nov/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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Ca' Nova Bric De Maschi Barbera D'alba Superiore 2007, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$19.95
The 2007 Ca' Nova Bric De Maschi Barbera D'alba Superiore has intense aromas of lees, dates and abundant oak. It is fruity, with medium body and a medium, chalky finish. Its structure is bit disconnected, with higher acidity and stronger, out of balance tannins (decant for 15 min). It is food friendly or can be enjoyed as a sipper; drink now-2018+. My impression: NICE, 89 pts - this is not a usual Barbera, it is made more so to resemble an overoaked Super Tuscan, none-the-less the appeal is there. Tasted Feb/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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Fortius Crianza 2008, Do Navarra
Navarra, Spain$10.75
The 2008 Fortius Crianza, composed of undisclosed amounts of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American Oak for 12 months; has appealing aromas of lees, red currant and pomegranate. It is medium bodied, fruity to integrated; is a bit on the acidic side, has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium finish. Drink with food; good now to 2015. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87-88 pts. Tasted Jan/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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Paso Robles
California, Usa$19.95
The 2010 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon (a vintage without a release, yet not in an essential section and often on sale) has attractive notes of blackberry, prune, coconut and vanilla. It is full bodied, fruity, on the acidic side, with subtle to refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a medium to long and smooth finish. Drink with heavy foods; drink now or cellar for 5+ more years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted March/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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Hahn Pinot Noir 2011
California, Usa$18.95
The 2011 Hahn Pinot Noir, sourced from Monterey County and aged in French Oak before bottling, has intense aromas of smoke, ripe dates and pomegranate. It is medium bodied, fruity to integrated, acid forward, has refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a smooth finish of medium length. Drink now or hold for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts – on Limited Time Offer for $1 off until April 1st/13. Tasted March/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/lcbo-deals/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Torre Quarto Bottaccia Uva Di Troia 2009, Igt Puglia
Puglia, Italy$14.95
The 2009 Torre Quarto Bottaccia Uva Di Troia has appealing nose with bilberry and blueberry notes. It is a full bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, notable tannins (decant for 1-2 hours) and a medium to long finish. Drink this wine with strong cheeses or salty game meats; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts. Tasted 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
C'est La Vie Pinot Noir Syrah 2011, Vin De Pays
Burgundy, France$12.95
The 2011 C'est La Vie Pinot Noir Syrah 2011 has likable aromas of smoke, Earth, raspberry and blackberry. It is an extra-dry (despite off-dry taste), medium bodied, fruity wine; it is on the acidic side, with refined tannins and medium finish. It is food friendly; drink now and for the next 2-3 years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts – correctly priced. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2011
Burgundy, France$17.95
The 2011 Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir has intense aromas of cherry cola, raspberry and oak. It is an extra-dry, medium bodied, fruity wine; has forward acidity, is tannic and has a medium finish with slight bitterness. Rated 85 pts. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)G