May 6, 2026

Raising the Bar for Minnesota Wine: Who is James Suckling?

At Rolling Forks Vineyards, we have always believed that the unique terroir of Minnesota can produce world-class wines. Today, we are incredibly proud to see that belief validated by one of the most discerning palates in the industry.

We are thrilled to announce a series of outstanding ratings from JamesSuckling.com for our portfolio of wines. From our "plush" reserves to our "racy" whites, these scores represent a monumental milestone for our vineyard and our region.

The Ratings: A Closer Look

The Award-Winning Reds

Our Marquette-based wines truly stole the show this year, proving that cold-hardy grapes can compete with traditional world-class varietals.

2024 Marquette Reserve — 92 PTS
- “This dark, plush and spice-saturated wine could pass for a mourvedre due to its black fruit, chocolate and grilled beef accents. Surprisingly polished, layered, rich and lingering.”
2024 Cihlar Reserve — 91 PTS
- “A medium-bodied, firmly structured wine that spices deep black-fruit flavors with toasty, cedary accents from oak aging.”
2024 Marquette — 91 PTS
- “A delicious, medium-bodied red offering ample dark-fruit flavors... Black cherries, blackberries, wet stone and iron notes.”
2024 Lady of the Prairie — 89 PTS
- “A good, deeply fruity red blend packed with blackberry, blueberry and raspberry flavors.”

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Fresh Whites & Rosé

Our lighter selections also received high praise for their balance and bracing acidity.

2024 Allegro Minnesota — 89 PTS
- “An off-dry wine with good, juicy green-apple and green-melon flavors and brisk acidity to match the slight sweetness.”
2023 Rose Delicato — 89 PTS
- “A light-bodied, fruity and fresh-tasting wine... vivid in raspberry and cherry flavors and nicely balanced.”
2025 La Crescent Reserve — 88 PTS
- “An aromatic dry white that's alive in flavors of lemon blossoms, straw, honeydew melon and minerals.”
2024 La Crescent — 88 PTS
- “A sweet, fruity, soft wine made from the la crescent grape variety. Apple, peach, apricot and tangerine flavors all vie for attention.”

Why James Suckling Matters

In the global wine industry, James Suckling is a name that carries immense weight. With a career spanning over four decades—including nearly 30 years as the Senior Editor of Wine Spectator—he is considered one of the world's most influential wine critics.

His tasting team evaluates tens of thousands of wines every year from legendary regions like Bordeaux, Tuscany, and Napa. For a Minnesota winery to receive multiple scores in the 90s is not just a win for us; it’s a signal to the world that our region has arrived.

What This Means for the Region

Perhaps the most rewarding part of these reviews was the recognition of our region's potential. The critics noted that our Marquette Reserve is "surprisingly polished... for a red from a region that most people don't associate with winemaking."

Achieving this level of structure and complexity in such a challenging viticultural climate is what we strive for every day. These ratings affirm that our cold-hardy grapes are capable of elegance, depth, and international quality.

Taste the Success

We invite you to visit our tasting room and experience these acclaimed vintages for yourself. Whether you are a fan of bold, spice-saturated reds or crisp, mineral-driven whites, there is a prize-winning bottle waiting for you.

Come celebrate with us—one glass at a time!