93 Points, #1 Best Buy: Method Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Tasting Notes, Review, and More

Sun, Jul 12, 2026

If you have been searching for a California Cabernet Sauvignon that drinks well above its price tag, the Method Cabernet Sauvignon California 2023 is the bottle to grab. Wine Enthusiast named it the #1 Best Buy of the Year and awarded it 93 points, and once you taste it you will understand why. It is made by Master Sommelier Ian Cauble and winemaker Trevor Sheehan of Precision Wine Co., a duo already known for over delivering on value across their portfolio.

In this guide we walk through everything you need to know before you buy: full tasting notes, ideal food pairings, serving tips, and answers to the questions our customers ask most at our Poughkeepsie store. Ready to add it to your cart? Shop the Method Cabernet Sauvignon California here.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Wine	Method Cabernet Sauvignon California 2023
Style	Full bodied red wine
Region	California, USA
Winemakers	Master Sommelier Ian Cauble and vintner Trevor Sheehan of Precision Wine Co.
Rating	93 points, #1 Best Buy of the Year, Wine Enthusiast
Bottle Size	750ml
Price	$16.99 at Arlington Wine & Liquor Store
Best For	Weeknight dinners, grilled meats, holiday tables, gifting

Behind the Bottle

The depth, balance, and polish in Method Cabernet Sauvignon don't happen by accident. Behind the bottle is Precision Wine Co., founded by Master Sommelier Ian Cauble and winemaker Trevor Sheehan, whose combined expertise bridges Old World tradition and modern California winemaking.

Cauble is among fewer than 300 Master Sommeliers worldwide, while Sheehan trained in Bordeaux and Burgundy before returning to California. Together, they source fruit from carefully selected vineyards across Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lake County, and Mendocino County, building complexity through thoughtful blending rather than relying on a single prestigious appellation.

That philosophy explains why Method consistently drinks like a wine priced well above its category.

Tasting Notes

Here is the part we will not dress up. This is a full bodied, generous Cabernet, not a subtle or restrained one. If you like wines that make you think for ten minutes before saying anything, this is not that. If you like a wine that announces itself the second you pour it, keep reading.

Color

Deep, almost opaque purple, holding its intensity to the rim. This tells you the wine has real fruit concentration before you even smell it.

Nose

Blackberry and cassis lead, backed by dried thyme, baking spice, and a touch of Tahitian vanilla. Give it a minute in the glass and cardamom, tobacco leaf, and cocoa show up underneath. It is generous rather than subtle, which is exactly what you want at this price.

Palate

Dense and rich, dark plum and blackberry carrying clove, dark chocolate, and a hint of roasted coffee. The tannins are the real surprise here. They are silky rather than gripping, which usually only shows up in wines twice this price. It manages to feel both muscular and easy to drink, which is a harder balance to hit than it sounds.

Finish

Long, creamy, and a little velvety, with cacao and tobacco lingering well after the glass is empty. Nothing sharp or unbalanced shows up on the back end, which is where a lot of budget Cabernets fall apart.

Where We Would Push Back

In the interest of the honest take promised in the headline: this is a big, fruit forward, crowd pleasing style of Cabernet. If you are the kind of drinker who wants high acid, restrained, food only wines, this will feel a little broad for your taste. It is built to be loved by a wide range of palates, not to impress a wine geek looking for tension and minerality. That is not a flaw. It is just a style choice worth knowing before you buy a case.

Professional Ratings

93 Points, #1 Best Buy of the Year, Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast praised its opulent aromatics of dark fruit and baking spice, along with a rich, dense palate and a lip smacking finish, ranking it the single best value wine released that year.

Food Pairing Guide: What to Serve With Method Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cabernet Sauvignon was built to sit at the center of the dinner table. Its ripe fruit, savory spice notes, and silky tannins give it enough structure to stand up to bold, fatty, and richly seasoned dishes while staying approachable enough for a casual weeknight meal. Here is how to pair it by course and occasion.

Grilled and Roasted Red Meats

A grilled rib eye with garlic herb butter is the classic match, its char softening the wine's tannins. Prime rib with au jus brings out the cocoa and clove notes. Braised short ribs or beef bourguignon match the wine's dense dark fruit, and grilled lamb chops with rosemary and mint pick up the herbal notes already in the glass.

Poultry and Game

Herb roasted duck breast with a cherry reduction pairs naturally with the wine's dark fruit. Smoked or grilled chicken thighs with barbecue glaze complement the baking spice, and a holiday turkey with sausage and herb stuffing works well with the wine's savory depth.

Pasta, Pizza, and Comfort Food

A rich bolognese or a creamy rigatoni alla vodka brings out the wine's cocoa and spice. A meat lover's pizza with pepperoni and Italian sausage stands up well to the tannins, and baked ziti or lasagna with a hearty meat ragu makes for an easy, satisfying pairing.

Cheese Board

Aged cheddar or gouda matches the wine's structure. Manchego with a drizzle of honey softens the tannins, and dark chocolate covered almonds echo the wine's own cocoa notes for a sweet finish.

Vegetarian

Grilled portobello mushrooms bring the char the wine wants. Eggplant parmesan offers the same rich, savory weight, and a lentil and mushroom shepherd's pie is hearty enough to stand up to the wine on its own.

Planning a holiday menu around this bottle? Check out our Best US Wines to Serve at Christmas guide for more pairing inspiration, and browse our Recipes page for dishes designed to go with our favorite bottles.

How to Serve Method Cabernet Sauvignon for the Best Experience

Serving temperature: Slightly below room temperature, around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, keeps the fruit bright without letting the alcohol dominate.
Decanting: Decant for 30 to 45 minutes before serving to soften the tannins and open up the aromatics, especially if the bottle is very young.
Glassware: A large bowled Bordeaux glass allows the layered aromas of dark fruit, spice, and cocoa to fully develop.
Storage: If you are not opening it right away, store the bottle on its side in a cool, dark place away from temperature swings.

Why This Wine Is Such a Standout Value

A 93 point, #1 Best Buy rating from Wine Enthusiast is not something small wineries land often, and doing it at under $17 a bottle is even rarer. The team behind Method sources fruit from the same premium growing regions used for Cabernets that cost three to five times as much, then keeps margins lean so the quality lands directly in the glass instead of the marketing budget. For anyone building a go to case of reds for the month, this bottle belongs on the list.

Want more high scoring bottles without the high price tag? Explore our curated Top California Winescollection, our Best Budget Wines Under $30 picks, or filter our full catalog by 90+ Rated wines to find your next favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Method Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?

It is a full bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of blackberry, cassis, and baking spice, followed by a palate of dark plum, clove, cocoa, and tobacco, finishing long, creamy, and velvety.

Is Method Cabernet Sauvignon a good value wine?

Yes. It was named the #1 Best Buy of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and scored 93 points, an unusually high rating for a wine priced at $16.99.

What food pairs best with this Cabernet Sauvignon?

Grilled and roasted red meats are the classic match, especially bone in rib eye with rosemary herb butter. It also pairs well with red sauce pasta, roasted poultry, pizza, and aged cheeses.

Who makes Method Cabernet Sauvignon?

It is produced by Precision Wine Co., founded by Master Sommelier Ian Cauble and winemaker Trevor Sheehan, who source fruit from top California vineyard sites.

Should I decant this wine before serving?

Decanting for 30 to 45 minutes is recommended to soften the tannins and let the fruit and spice aromas fully open up.

Where can I buy Method Cabernet Sauvignon California?

You can buy it online or in store at Arlington Wine & Liquor Store in Poughkeepsie, NY for $16.99. Order the Method Cabernet Sauvignon California here, with free local delivery on orders over $250 and shipping available in 47 states.

Final Pour

The Method Cabernet Sauvignon California 2023 proves that you do not need a triple digit price tag to get a serious, well made Cabernet. With 93 points and a #1 Best Buy title behind it, this bottle is an easy addition to any wine rack, dinner table, or gift basket. Add it to your cart todayand see for yourself, or explore the rest of our Red Wine collection for more crowd pleasing bottles.

By Arlington Wine and Liquor