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
Trapiche Extravaganza 2013
Mendoza, Argentina$15.95
The 2013 Trapiche Extravaganza, composed of 55% Malbec, 35% Bonarda and 10% Syrah that briefly saw French Oak, has intense notes of vanillin, oak, black cherry and blackberry on the nose and black cherry and sweet vanilla on the palate. It is a medium to full bodied, off-dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, grippy tannins and a medium to long finish that tends to gum up the palate. This is an easy-drinking party wine that goes down better with food; drink short term (composite cork enclosure). Rated 85 pts. Tasted in Sep/14 at 'iYellow’s Trapiche tasting with the winemaker Sergio Eduardo Casé and Carla Castorina' 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
2.0 Stars
(0)G
Sawbuck Chardonnay 2012, Dunnigan Hills
California, Usa$9.45
The 2012 Sawbuck Chardonnay has over-ripe/bruised pear, apricot and peach notes together with steamy and woody aromas on both nose and palate. It is a medium bodied, dry, integrated wine; lacking acidity and with a medium, tongue-clogging finish. It has no aging potential (short and thin composite cork enclosure). My impression: DRINKABLE BUT WHY, 81 pts – NOT recommended. 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
2.0 Stars
(0)G
Mike Weir Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$16.95
The 2008 Mike Weir Cabernet Merlot has appealing aromas of lees, raspberry, toasted oak and vanilla on the nose and strawberry, raspberry and vanilla on the palate. It is a light bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine, with good acidity, notable tannins (decant for 1 hour) and a medium to long finish. It is a food friendly wine, also quite enjoyable on its own; drink now - 2016 (fruit is drying out). My impression: NICE, 89 pts - not bad for a product from a winery that is yet to open to the public. 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
1.5 Stars
(0)G
Open Wine Cab² Merlot 2009, VQA Niagara Penisula
Ontario, Canada$12.95
The 2010 Open Cab2-Merlot is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of raspberry, cedar, black pepper, coconut and vanilla. It is off dry, has refined tannins (decant for 15 min) and has a long finish. This is an easy drinking wine and can be served with food or by itself. It has the potential to cellar for the next couple of years. My impression: NICE, 88 pts – for $11.95 is a great buy and hence recommended as a party wine. 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
1.5 Stars
(0)G
Cannonball Merlot 2012, Sonoma County
California, Usa$24.95
The 2012 Cannonball Merlot, sourced from Southern Sonoma Valley and aged in French Oak for 1 year; has deep aromas of prune, caramel, nuttiness and wood on the nose and blackberry, black cherry, vanilla and oak on the palate. It is a full bodied, dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, refined tannins and a long finish. This is a food friendly; drink now and for the next few years (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 87 pts. Tasted in Oct/14 at 'Tasted at Discover Sonoma County event ' http://grapeselections.com/sonoma-wines-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
1.5 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
The 2001 Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva is a light to medium bodied, integrated to aged wine, with intense aromas of cherry, leather, oak and vanilla. It has a nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a finish of medium to long length. Drink now-2015. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts. 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
1.5 Stars
(0)V
La Velona Brunello Di Montalcino 2004
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
The 2004 La Velona, made up of 100% Sangiovese that has been aged in Slovenia oak for more than 3 years, is medium bodied with nice aromas of integrated black fruit, thyme, cedar and liquorice (funny that no matter how I tried, I could not pinpoint which black fruit may add to the complexity - seems that other reviewers had similar problems). Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for more than 1 hour to allow the wine to fully open) and the finish is long and smooth. This wine will be at its best from 2012 to 2016 and beyond. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - tasted Oct/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
1.5 Stars
(0)V
Antinori Guado Al Tasso 2007, Doc Bolgheri Superiore
Tuscany, Italy$104.95
The 2007 Antinori Guado Al Tasso is medium bodied with intense aromas of integrated black currant, blueberry, coffee, green pepper, oak and vanilla. Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for about an hour) and the finish is long and smooth. This wine should be put away for the next 4-5 years and should last till 2020 to 2015. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92.5 pts - excellent wine, but is $90 really worth it? Tasted Feb/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
1.5 Stars
(0)V
Corte Majoli Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2008, Doc
Veneto, Italy$16.95
The 2008 Corte Majoli Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore, composed of 65% Corvina, 35% Rondinella and 5% Molinara, is a light to medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of red currant, rosehip, forest floor - pine needles, clove, liquorice and subtle green pepper and vanilla. It has a good structure, with nice acidity, refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a clean, long and smooth finish. Drink now or hold for the next 5-10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - Though this is not your typical Ripasso, the essence of Corvina is in its truest form and will reward you - recommended buy. Tasted Apr/12.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO @
www.GrapeSelections.com
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
1.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Galévan Paroles De Femme Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$15.00
This is a very enjoyable, light wine and most likely will disappear quickly, so stock up. The body of this wine is composed of black currant, strawberry and raspberry, which are still fruity, yet integrated. Tannins are subtle and the finish is long. The wine is at its best now, but should cellar well for at least couple of years, if not more. My impression: quite NICE. Tasted 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
1.0 Stars
(0)V