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
Pillitteri Cabernet/Merlot VQA 2008
Ontario, Canada$12.95
The 2008 Pillitteri Cabernet/Merlot, composed of 46% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, is medium bodied with fruity to INTEGRATED notes of strawberry and pepper (contribution from the Cab Franc). Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium and bit sweet. Drink now or for the next two years. It is an easy drinking wine, my impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 85 pts. 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
2.0 Stars
(0)G
Tommasi Ripasso 375ml 2007, Valpolicella Classico Superiore
Veneto, Italy$11.45
This light to medium bodied Ripasso (I tried the 750 ml version) has nice fruity to integrated aromas of black cherry and slight notes of vanilla and oak. The definite taste of grape skins contributes to the medium to long finish. The tannins are refined (decant for 30 min) and the wine should age nicely for at least 5 more years. My impression: NICE. Tasted Apr/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
2.0 Stars
(0)V
Via Collina Dolcetto Di Diano D'alba 2008, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$14.95
This wine won a Silver Medal at the 2009 International Wine Challenge in London. This light bodied wine had fruity notes of red currant and pine. Tannins were subtle and the finish was medium with nicely balanced acidity. I am just beginning to explore the Dolcetto grape variety and this is the first time that my impression was NICE. 86 pts.
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
2.0 Stars
(0)V
Castillo De Molina Reserva Carmenère 2007, Central Valley
Chile$14.95
This medium bodied Reserva has fruity notes of black berries and Earth. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 min) and the finish is medium and chalky. Drink now for the next year or so. Impression: NICE, 86 pts. Tasted June/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
2.0 Stars
(0)V
Milcampos Tempranillo 2006, Ribera Del Duero
Spain$10.90
This light bodied, fruity wine from the general section has notes of raspberry and red currant. Tannins are dusty and refined to tannic (decant for 15 min). The finish is medium and uneventful. Cork is fake, but regardless there is no need to age this wine. I must say that it has a nice acidity that would be great with pasta. My impression: NICE, 86 pts. Try it - what can be expected/said for $10? Tasted July/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
2.0 Stars
(0)G
Casa De La Ermita Crianza 2007, Do Jumilla
Spain$14.95
The 2007 Casa De La Ermita Crianza is light to medium bodied, integrated wine with notes of prune, coffee, cedar and coconut. It has a nice acidity, tannins that are refined to tannic (decant for 15 to 30 min) and a medium finish. It is good to drink now and will be till 2015. My impression: NICE - easy food friendly wine, 88 pts. Tasted July/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/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy
2.0 Stars
(0)V
Coyote's Run Unoaked Chardonnay 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
The 2012 Coyote’s Run Estate Unoaked Chardonnay, has intense aromas of green quince and green apple. It is a light to medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine, with forward acidity and a medium finish. Enjoy with food; drink now – 2016. My impression: NICE, 87 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
2.0 Stars
(0)G