Every vintage cannot produce large quantities of the higher Prädikat categories, but good and pleasant wines are produced every year in Germany. Wine is an agricultural product and consequently very dependent on the weather which in Germany, unlike more southerly climates, can be extremely variable.

Although different vintages may exhibit subtle differences in taste and style, the German classification system, based on ripeness, assures the consumer of the quality of each bottle, regardless of the vintage. 

Any way - in the same vintage two different wine makers may produce very different qualities on the same terroir, showing that the name of the producer might be more important than the vintage itself.