Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays everyone. Early this morning (September 30), my winemaking buddies and I gathered to press off the three tanks of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel that we crushed on September 3. While the guys were busy cleaning and setting up the equipment for this pressing, I went through for a second time that morning and punched down the caps of the remaining eight tanks of Geyserville Cabernet Franc and Syrah that were still fermenting (these will be pressed off in two weeks). The color and aromatics in and from the fermentation tanks this year have been absolutely amazing, the clusters have been perfect, and the pH’s, sugars and acids are in total harmony—what winemakers worldwide dream about—unbelievable! I turned to the guys as they were washing everything down and said, “In my 34 years of making wine, I cannot recall a harvest producing such monumental juice. And I am hearing this quiet enthusiastic glee from winery personnel, too. If all of us don’t blow it, this vintage has the potential of being one of the greatest.” More later!

Our Burgundy buyer, Keith Wollenberg, continues to discover superb Gems. His most recent discovery, 2005 Domaine Pascal Bouchard Chablis “Grande Reserve Du Domaine” ($18.99) is an outstanding non-premier cru, premier-cru acting Chablis that must not be overlooked. Produced from 40-year old, low yielding vines and fermented mostly in stainless steel tanks, this lovely chardonnay provides tons of that classic limestone minerality on the nose and in the mouth, yet with the richness of character and structure of a premier cru. The mouthwatering finish is crisp and bright. The Beaner has informed me that this will be one of our house whites for the month. (9 cat faces)

Our newly arrived 2006 Kirkham Peak Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($11.99) is a great follow up to the 2005 production. Perfumed aromas of gooseberries and lime zest, this too is a crisp, clean and mouthwatering white on the palate. Eby purrs at the thought that this will be one of our house whites for the month. (8 cat factes)

Also landing is the new vintage (2006) of Blason Pinot Grigio ($8.99), which is clearly, and hard to believe, better than the ’05. The nose shows white peach qualities and is distinctively floral, almost like walking into a room full of orchids. In the mouth, you will be treated to lovely pinot grigio fruit with viscosity and freshness and a finish that is remarkably bright and snappish. This Gem will be our other house white for November according to both Eb and the Beaner. (8 cat faces)

Finally, Anderson is once again hooting over the next two Bordeaux Gems that we have chosen for our November house reds. The 2003 Château Beaumont Haut-Médoc ($15.99), which is owned by Beychevelle, is deeply colored and offers an opulent bouquet of currants, plums, cedar and roasted coffee. Good fullness of body in the mouth with silky, integrated tannins, excellent backbone and depth, the warm finish lingers for six minutes and thirty-four seconds. This is a nice, near-term drinker and should not be put down for any length of time. (9 wagging dog tails) The 2005 Château Birot Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux ($12.99) is a deep ruby in color and shows lush and ripe blackberries, currants and spicy fruit aromas underscored by cigar box and antique tones. Medium-full in body, you will discover a Gem that is round and soft, yet well-structured and long on flavor. Again, this new world style wine is meant for near-term consumption. (9 wagging dog tails)

If you have any questions regarding these Gems, you can contact us at jimbarr@klwines.com. Enjoy this month’s selections,

—Jim, Anderson, Eby, and Vanilla