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
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
Colchester Ridge Crew Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$17.75
The 2008 Crew Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW), has intense notes of dates, cedar, dark chocolate and faint vanilla. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine; is on the acidic side, has refined tannins and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly; drink now to 2016+. My impression: NICE, 89 pts – priced correctly. 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)V
Monte Antico 2009, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$15.95
The 2009 Monte Antico, composed of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that matured in oak for 12 months, has pleasing aromas of black cherry, wood and smoke on the nose and blackberry, black cherry, oak, coconut and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long finish. This is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink 2014-2017+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Jul/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
Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$21.95
The 2012 Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Chardonnay that was aged in Hungarian oak for 6 months, has pleasing aromas of pear and light roasted coffee. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity and a medium, wooded finish. It is quite food friendly; drink now-2016 (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE, 88 pts. 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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
South Africa$8.99
The 2012 Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon has appealing notes of yogurty cherry, plum and light wood. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, dusty tannins (decant for longer than 30 min) and a medium, smooth (once opened) finish. This is a food friendly wine that also does well on its own; drink now – 2015/16. My impression: NICE, 87 pts – great value for $9.45. Tasted Dec/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)
Frisky Beaver White 2012, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$13.95
The 2012 Dover Vineyards Frisky Beaver White has sweet, intense aromas of citrus and green apple as well as it has subtle mineral notes. It is a medium to full bodied, dry, fruity wine; with tart acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food; drink now – 2016+. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – great value wine, hence recommended. Tasted at 'Taste Ontario 2013' http://grapeselections.com/taste-ontario-2013/ in October/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
Casa Lapostolle Gran Seleccion Carmenere 2011, Rapel Valley
Chile$16.05
The 2011 Casa Lapostolle Grand Selection Carmenere, with added 6% Merlot and 5% Syrah, portion of which were aged in used French oak barrels for 5 months; has intense aromas of forest pine needles, blackberry, dates and light, toasted coffee. It is a medium to full bodied, exta-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, with dusty tannins that are on the tannic side (decant for 30 min) and a medium, tongue coating finish. Food friendly wine to be complemented with salty, non-spicy, meaty dishes; drink now - 2018. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted privately with Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle in June/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
William Cole Winemaker's Special Reserve 2010, Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley, Chile$14.25
The 2010 William Cole Winemaker's Special Reserve, composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Carmenere and 25% Merlot that was aged in French Oak for 12 months has intense aromas of green pepper (Carmenere’s signature note), blackberry, black currant, smoke and subtle vanilla and wood. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a smooth finish of a good length. It is a food friendly wine or can be sipped by itself; best to age (evolution potential +1 pt) – drink 2015-2020. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts – recommended for its quality/value and for expressive Carmenere notes. Shared by Krista Lamb http://kristalamb.blogspot.ca/ tasted August/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
Cave De Saumur Secrets De Chai Saumur 2011
Loire, France$11.25
The 2011 Saumur, Secrets De Chai Par Eric Laurent, composed of 100% Chenin Blanc aged for 8 months on lees, has intense aromas of pear, gooseberry, subdued minerality and floral notes. It is a medium bodied,dry, fruity wine; with checked acidity and a medium, fruit forward finish. Drink on its own; drink now – 2018+. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted at 'Loire Valley Tasting' http://grapeselections.com/Loire-Valley-tasting/ in Oct/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