Dan Trcka
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Followers (47)
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Following (5)
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Reviews (1015)
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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
Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2010, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$24.95
The 2010 Pirramimma Petit Verdot has intense aromas of cut hay, black currant, figs, subtle vanilla and cigar box. It is a full bodied, extra-dry, alcoholic, fruity to integrated wine, with forward acidity, refined tannins (decant starting from 30 min all the way to 2+ hours and watch it evolve) and a long, smooth and chalky finish. This wine has a mass-appeal, sip it or drink with smoked, BBQ’d or grilled foods; drink now - 2020 (screw cap). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts - $5 off definitely makes this wine more attractive. Tasted May/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay 2011, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$34.95
Re-tastes about a year later - what one year of cellaring does: The 2011 Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay, harvested from 15-year old vines that were farmed organically and biodynamically and then spent 14 months in French Oak barrels, has elegant aromas of limestone minerality, toast, lemon and gooseberry on the nose and yellow apple, gooseberry, butter and vanilla on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with crisp acidity and a medium to long, clean finish. Though food friendly, it is a sipping wine; drink now and for the next 4+ years (screw cap enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 93 pts – recommended for its quality and perhaps value. Tasted in Jul/14 at 'Barrels & Bonfires (i4C 2014)' http://grapeselections.com/i4c-2014/.
The 2011 Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay has appealing aromas of white pear and subdued oak and vanilla. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruit forward wine, with forward acidity and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly, drink now and for the next few years. My impressions: NOTHING SPECIAL, 88-89 pts. 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-ca
4.0 Stars
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2010
Marlborough, New Zealand$32.95
The 2010 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir, sourced from selected vineyards in Awatere and Wairau Valleys in Marlborough and aged in French Oak for 10 months, has elegant aromas of vanilla, stables, pomegranate and red currant. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; BALANCED with excellent acidity, refined tannins and long finish. This is a food friendly wine but will reward on its own; drink for the next 5+ years (screw cap enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in May/14 at 'Tasted during New Zealand in a glass tasting' http://grapeselections.com/new-zealand-fair-2014/.
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
4.0 Stars
(0)
Muga Reserva 2008, Doc Rioja
Spain$23.95
The 2008 Muga Reserva has intense aromas of dusty cherry, pomegranate and cigar box. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with balanced structure of good acidity and refined tannins (decant for 30 min), and a long finish that is not oak dominated. This wine is food friendly as well as a sipper. It is ready to drink now and shall be for the next 10+ years. My impression: NICE, 90 pts – recommended buy based on both quality and value. Tasted January/13.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections and
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/lcbo-deals/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie Unfiltered Niagara Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.00
The 2010 Norman Hardie Unfiltered Pinot Noir has intense aromas of anise, smoked meat, clove on the nose and pomegranate, red currant and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine, with checked acidity, refined tannins and a long finish. Though food friendly, drink this wine on its own; drink now – 2018. My impression: BEAUTIFUL to DIVINE, 92-93 pts – recommended for its quality. 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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Le Serre Nuove Dell'ornellaia 2011, Doc Bolgheri Rosso
Tuscany, Italy$59.95
The 2011 Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri is composed of 57% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 14% Petit Verdot that was aged for 16 months in new French Oak. This wine has intense aromas of black cherry, prune, wood and cedar. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; balanced with good acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a long, wood dominated, smooth finish. This one is a sipper; drink 2014 – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91-92 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted at 'Taste Italy 2013' http://grapeselections.com/taste-italy-2013/ in Nov/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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello Di Montalcino 2007
Tuscany, Italy$48.95
The 2007 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello Di Montalcino has intense notes of violets, dried cherry, pomegranate, old wood and clove on the nose and more of pomegranate and dried cherry on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with good acidity, dusty tannins and a long, smooth and silky finish. Drink now – 2025+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91-92 pts – recommended for its quality and value. Tasted Mar/14 http://grapeselections.com/benvenuto-brunello/
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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Argiano Brunello Di Montalcino 2008
Tuscany, Italy$50.00
The 2008 Argiano Brunello Di Montalcino, also aged in oak for two years and then another in cement, has intense aromas of cherry and wood on the nose and cranberry and pomegranate on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; with good acidity, tight tannins and a medium finish. The fruit is still somewhat concealed; drink 2016 – 2025??. My impression: NICE, 91 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Mar/14 http://grapeselections.com/benvenuto-brunello/
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
4.0 Stars
Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello Di Montalcino 2008, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
The 2008 Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello Di Montalcino has appealing aromas of dried cranberries, cherry and toast. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good/refreshing acidity, dusty tannins and a long finish. Drink now – 2018/20. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 - recommended for its value. Tasted Mar/14 http://grapeselections.com/benvenuto-brunello/
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
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie County Chardonnay Unfiltered 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
The 2012 Norman Hardie Unfiltered County Chardonnay that was aged on lees in oak barrels for 10 months has full, seductive notes of coffee bean and toast on the nose and green and yellow apple, oak and more roasted coffee bean on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with good, refreshing acidity and long finish. Though food friendly, sip this wine by itself; drink now 2020+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91-92 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city-2014/ in Apr/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
4.0 Stars