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
Tilia Malbec 2011, Mendoza
Argentina$12.95
The 2011 Tilia Malbec is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with intense aromas of blackberry, dates, toasted oak and vanilla. It has good structure, nice acidity, refined tannins (MUST decant for 1-2 hours) and a long finish. Drink now or cellar for the next 5 years as it has an evolution potential of +1 pt. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL (once decanted), 88 pts - decent buy for the $. Tasted Dec/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
Jackson Triggs Black Series Riesling 2011, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$7.25
The 2011 Jackson-Triggs Reserve Riesling is a medium bodied, fruity wine, with appealing aromas of green apple, citrus and subtle hawthorn. It has a nice acidity, is sweeter and has a medium finish. It is food friendly and will also work as a sipper as the body has more intensity than nose. My impression: very NICE, 89 pts – would highly recommend this wine, especially at $11.45. Tasted Oct/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/trickledown/
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
2.5 Stars
(0)G
Pelee Island Vinedressers Red 2010, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$12.25
The 2010 Pelee Island Winery Vinedressers Red, composed of 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Lemberger that was aged in French Oak for 12 months; has appealing aromas of pomegranate, oak and faint cedar. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good, refreshing acidity, grippy tannins and a medium finish – the tannins and acidity are not supported by fruit. Drink this wine with food; perhaps the wine will come together in couple of years, revisit in 2016 (cork enclosure). My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL, 86 pts. Tasted in Oct/14 at 'Taste Ontario 2014' http://grapeselections.com/taste-ontario-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
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Te Awa Cabernet/Merlot 2009, Hawkes Bay, North Island
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand$24.05
The 2009 Te Awa Cabernet/Merlot, composed of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec that was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, has intense aromas of blueberry, pine, wood and vanilla that dissipate quickly and raspberry, blackberry and black cherry notes emerge. It is an extra-dry, medium bodied, integrated wine, with very good acidity, refined tannins (no need to decant – 15 min, however needs to be strained due to many tartrate crystals) and a medium to long, graphite silkiness finish. Sip by itself or enjoy with quite diverse foods; drink now – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – sold originally for $28.95 now for nearly $5 less – recommended due to its value and quality. Tasted 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)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 Winery Chardonnay 2011, Santa Lucia Highlands
California, Usa$16.95
The 2011 Hahn Chardonnay, sourced from Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey and aged in neutral French Oak barrels, has intense floral, honey and ripe pear notes. It is light to medium bodied, has a good acidity and a short to medium finish. It is food friendly, drink now and for the next couple of years. My impression: NICE, 88 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
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)
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
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