"Bad years" as in 2005 for France? Like the 2005 Chateau Figeac (St Emillion) that EK are serving now? Or that same 2005 of Les Forts de Latour (Pauillac) that is also being served now? Or the same 2005 for Sauternes, like the Chateau D'Yquem currently on some routes?

Probably one of the two best vintages of the past 20/30 years for France...

...or the 2013 US Chardonnays (see Paul Hobbs), or the 2013 Victoria Syrah (see Savaterre), or the 2007 Sauternes (see Chateau Suduiraut), ... I could continue. Yes, there can be less-than-stellar vintages onboard, but the point is that EK really does NOT seem to have a pattern of buying and serving the "lesser" vintages. And their cellar is something I am really appreciating as someone who is rather new to flying with them.