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
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010, Maipo Valley
Chile$13.95
The 2010 Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva has intense aromas of blackcurrant, eucalyptus and vanilla. It is a medium to full bodied, dry, fruity wine; with checked acidity, subtle to refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly, though may be overpowering; drink now – 2015+. My impression: NICE, 88 pts –it is so fruity, it gives the impression that unfermented black currant/blackberry juice was added to the wine. 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)
Casa Lapostolle Gran Seleccion Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Rapel Valley
Chile$12.00
The Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc 2012, with added 8% Semillon and 2% Sauvignon Gris, is intensely aromatic with notes of green apple, citrus and light mineral notes. It is an extra dry, medium bodied, fruit forward wine, with forward acidity, subtle - lees imparted tannins and a medium, heavier and warm finish. It is food friendly; drink now to 2015/16. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 86 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
Earth And Sky Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$14.95
The 2010 Earth & Sky Pinot Noir has appealing aromas of faint clove, pepper, oak and subtle minerality on the nose and more pronounced raspberry and bilberry and earthy notes on the palate. It is a light bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with subdued acidity, strong tannins (decant for 1+ hours) and a medium finish. This is a strong cheese friendly wine, drink now-2016. Rated 86 pts and tasted in 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)G
Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Zinfandel 2011, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$32.95
The 2011 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Zinfandel, from Dry Creek in Sonoma, has attractive aromas of blackberry, black cherry and vanilla on both the nose and palate. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, dusty tannins and a medium to long, smooth finish. This party favorite is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink now – 2020. My impression: quite NICE, 90 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Apr/14 at 'California Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
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
Torre Saracena Riserva Salice Salentino 2009
Puglia, Italy$13.75
The 2009 Torre Saracena Riserva Salice Salentino, composed of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera which were aged in oak for 10 months, has intense aromas of dark chocolate, toasted/smoked wood and clove on the nose and cherry and wood on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with tart acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a long finish. This is a food friendly wine though I would recommend sipping it (if you can handle the acidity); drink now to 2018 (cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for its value (bin end product - $2 off). Tasted in Sep/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
Strewn Two Vines Riesling Gewurztraminer 2012, Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$11.95
The 2012 Strewn Two Vines Riesling Gewurztraminer has a nice bouquet of honeydew melon, lemon, lime and lees. It is a medium bodied, dry/med-dry wine; with refreshing acidity and a medium finish. Drink with food; drink now – 2017. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 88 pts - well priced. 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)G
Sunnybrook Estate Pear Blossom Wine 2012
Ontario, Canada$18.95
The 2012 Sunnybrook Estate Blossom Series Pear Wine has fruity and floral aromas of pear and quince. It is a light bodied, medium-dry, fruity wine; BALANCED with refreshing acidity and a medium, clean finish. With 11% alcohol, have a glass or two early in the afternoon on a patio. My impression: quite NICE, 86-87 pts – fine example of this fruit wine style and hence recommended for its quality. Tasted in May/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
Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$19.95
The 2009 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, has deep notes of tobacco, toast, wood, cherry/black cherry, red currant, vanilla and dates. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with good acidity, refined tannins and a long finish. Though food friendly, sip this wine; drink now to 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for quality and value. Tasted in Apr/14 at 'California Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
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
Strewn Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2013, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$13.95
The 2013 Strewn Chardonnay Barrel Aged has Icewine-like aromas of sweet apricot, honey, nuts and acacia on the nose and stewed pear, stewed gooseberry and intense oak + vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry/dry, fruity wine; OFF-BALANCE, slightly oxidized with checked acidity and a long, vanilla/oak dominated finish. Drink this wine with heavier, acid-forward foods; drink now (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 84 pts – long way off from the 2012 vintage that scored 88-89 pts. Tasted in Apr/15 at 'LTO Chardonnay tasting' http://grapeselections.com/lto-chardonnay-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
1951 Rotary Club Unoaked Chardonnay 2012
Ontario, Canada$11.25
The 2012 Rotary Club 1951 Unoaked Chardonnay is a wine crafted by Château Des Charmes and $1 from the proceeds go to the club’s foundation http://rotarylakeshore.org/. The wine has subtle aromas of limestone minerality, yellow apple, pineapple and gooseberry on the nose and stems, pineapple and lemon on the palate. It is a light bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with checked acidity and a short finish. Drink with food (decant for 15 min and serve at 10°C); drink now and for the next few years (screw cap enclosure). Rated 86 pts. Tasted in Sep/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)G