Yes, today is the day. The liveliest wine day of the year.  As the website for Beaujolais Nouveau Day states:

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the wine is released at 12:01 a.m., just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Parties are held throughout the country and further afield to celebrate the first wine of the season.

Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young. Most vintages should be consumed by the following May after its release. However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around..

This year's vintage is very fresh and fruity, not quite the body of last year's heftier wine, but bright and very fruit-forward, with some pepper and peach in the nose, and then a big boom of berries, strawberry and raspberry upfront, blackberry toward the back of the sip.

Here are some comparative tasting notes of nine different BNs from the folks at Wine Spectator, specifically Gillian Sciaretta:

JEAN BERERD & FILS Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau Domaine de la Madone 2016 Score: 87 | $13
This light-bodied red is creamy, with ripe layers of macerated cherry and pureed strawberry, edged by licorice drop and cocoa powder accents. Marjoram and plum aromas linger into the finish. 6,000 cases made.—G.S.

GEORGES DUBOEUF Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2016 Score: 86 | $13
Fresh blackberry, spice box and pomegranate aromas show savory undertones of pink peppercorn and herb. The juicy finish is highlighted by minerally details. 3,000 cases imported.—G.S.

JEAN-PAUL BRUN Beaujolais Nouveau Terres Dorées l'Ancien Vieilles Vignes 2016 Score: 85 | $15
A light-bodied red, with floral aromas giving way to juicy cherry, currant and raspberry fruit, backed by licorice snap, anise and cedar accents. Offers a clean, lightly tannic finish. 800 cases imported.—G.S.

JOSEPH DROUHIN Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 Score: 85 | $12
Juicy cherry and strawberry flavors burst through the creamy midpalate, with licorice drop and floral details giving expression to the finish. Light tannins. 5,000 cases imported.—G.S.

GEORGES DUBOEUF Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 Score: 85 | $12
This light-bodied red displays a creamy palate of cherry, pureed raspberry and marjoram flavors, with licorice snap and light smoke details lingering into the lightly chewy finish. 85,000 cases imported.—G.S.

DOMAINE ROCHETTE Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2016 Score: 85 | $10
A savory edge of grilled herb and fresh earth lines the boysenberry and cherry fruit. Ample sweet spice and zesty elements linger into the tangy, lightly grippy finish. 400 cases imported.—G.S.

PASCAL CHATELUS Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 Score: 84 | $9
Bright and fresh, with raspberry and strawberry flavors matched to creamy gumdrop and light spice details. Offers a zesty, clean finish. 415 cases imported.—G.S.

MOMMESSIN Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 Score: 84 | $13
Crushed raspberry and cherry notes are interwoven with pink peppercorn, anise and light herbal elements, accented by fresh earth undertones. Offers a modest, clean finish. 1,946 cases imported.—G.S.

PAUL DURDILLY Beaujolais Nouveau Les Grandes Coasses 2016 Score: 83 | $14
Aromatic and zesty, with tangy raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, backed by grilled herb and gumdrop details. Crisp finish. 7,000 cases imported.—G.S.

So get out there and grab some bottles, for early quaffing, but especially for Thanksgiving. You won't find a better wine match for all of the diverse flavors of Turkey Day than Beaujolais Nouveau.  

Cheers!  Let me know what you think of this year's BN!