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
Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2006, Bairrada
Portugal$8.95
Dan Trcka
AMAZING BUY. This wine, 2006 RESERVA, that can be found in the general Portuguese section (158741) for $8.50 has a light to medium body, is aromatic and smooth and has fragrances of cedar (pronounced) and leather (subtle). The fruit is integrated to aged, tannins are refined (ready to drink at opening) and finish is medium. This wine is ready to drink now and will not benefit from further aging, but should still be good in two years or so, in case you choose to stock up. Impression: NICE. Tasted several times, reviewed 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)G
Terra D'aligi Tatone Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2007, Doc
Abruzzo, Italy$15.95
The 2007 Terra D'aligi Tatone Montepulciano D'abruzzo is medium bodied, FRUITY to integrated wine, with aromas of yeasty blackberry, oak, coconut and vanilla. Tannins are refined (decanting for more than 30 min will ease the yeasty notes) and the finish is medium. Cellaring will most likely not improve this wine. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts - the 2006 vintage was great, not sure why this one is so different. This wine of this quality should sell for under $10. 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)V
Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2005, Doc Castel Del Monte
Puglia, Italy$18.95
The 2005 Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico has a medium body, with integrated aromas of red currant and cedar. The wine has refined tannins that are in harmonious balance with acidity (decant for longer than an hour) and medium to long finish. It has the potential to age and evolve for the next 5 to 10 years. My impression: quite NICE, 88 pts. 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)V
Masi Campofiorin 2008, Venetia
Veneto, Italy$20.95
The 2008 Masi Campofiorin is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with appealing aromas of red currant and cedar. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium. Drink this food friendly wine for the next 1-2 years. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87 pts - bit costly for $18.45. 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
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Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2008, Bairrada
Portugal$8.95
The 2008 Aliança Bairrada Reserva is a light to medium bodied wine, with fruity to INTEGRATED notes of strawberry, red currant and wood and slight brettyness. Tannins are subtle to refined (decant for 15 to 30 min), acidity is nice and the finish is short to medium. Drink now and in the short term. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 86.5 pts - worth a try for under $9. 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
J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley
California, Usa$62.95
The 2006 J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied wine, with nice aromas of fruity to integrated red berries, red currant, blueberry and oak. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a smooth, medium to long finish. It is good to drink now and will be for the next 5 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts - not sure about the price point, but definitely worth the try. Tasted Nov/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
Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough
New Zealand$19.95
The 2010 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir is a light bodied, fruity wine with cherry notes. It has refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium, slightly sweeter, mineral finish. Drink now and for the next couple of years. Drink-how: have it with lightly flavoured foods (eg. pizza). My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 87 pts. Tasted 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)V
Vila Regia 2010, Douro Valley, Portugal
Portugal$7.95
The 2010 Villa Regia has notes of raspberry, oak and lees. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with good acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. Drink with food; now - 2016. My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 87 pts. Tasted in Apr/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
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Giuseppe Campagnola Corte Agnella Corvina 2009, Igt Veronese
Veneto, Italy$14.95
The 2009 Giuseppe Campagnola Corte Agnella Corvina is a light bodied, fruity wine, with notes of red currant, black cherry and smoke. It has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 30+ min) and a medium finish. Note that FAKE cork was used, so I would not recommend cellaring this wine and short term holding should be done in upright position; drink now. My impression: NICE (after decanting), 87 pts - though not a complex wine, the essence of Corvina is nicely represented here. Tasted May/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)V
181 Merlot 2010, Lodi, California
California, Usa$16.95
The 181 Merlot 2010, sourced from the Lodi Valley and made in Bordeaux style, has intense aromas of toasted oak, black cherry liqueur, blackberry faint pine needle notes. It is medium bodied, fruity, has good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and a medium, silky finish. It can be drunk by itself or with food; good to drink now, but will be in its prime from 2015-2020. My opinion: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89-90 pts – recommended due to its value. 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)G