I think separating those two concepts is essential to understanding the point some of us are making.
As you say, 2021 may be the most classic vintage in a long time. But that might be at odds with it being one of the best Kabinett vintage in recent years, because classic vintages were not about Kabinett. They were about the food-friendly Spätleses which Terry Thiese keeps lamenting have all but disappeared in the several vintages, and they were about going up the Pradikat scale. Hans-Peter’s evocation of the Song of the Mosel being about full Spätleses and starred Ausleses, not about Kabinetts, is illustrative.
As Daniele aptly points out Kabinetts were the sweet spots of the 2019 vintage precisely because they were basically declassified Spätleses. It is incongruous, not to say confusing, to then turn around and say that 2021 is a Kabinett vintage using as evidence that it’s cooler and not like 2019.
Most of us will be buying without tasting first. That’s just the way the world works. We are not importers or retailers and we do not work with or for them. So I think people buying Kabinetts would do well to look at Oeschle numbers.
Let’s do an example of a vineyard that mostly wasn’t hit by Peronospora this year because it’s cooler.
MFR Elisenberg Kabinett: 2019 (84° Oechsle – 53 g/L RS) – 2021 (74° Oechsle – 48 g/L RS)
I bought both. The 2019 is outstanding. I have yet to taste the 2021. But I am certain from the chemistry that they must be noticeably different wines.
Let’s look at MFR Elisenberg Spätlese: 2019 (93° Oechsle – 86 g/L RS) – 2021 (83° Oechsle – 70 g/L RS).
I own all of these wines. But I bought more Kabinetts in 2019 and more Spätleses in 2021.
And sure the 2021 Spätlese has a third more RS than the 2019 Kabinett. But the 2021 acids are more than a third higher than 2019’s. Thankfully, those are helped along by the 2021’s high potassium buffering and phenolic ripeness. And so, for those who really liked 2019 Kabinett, the 2021 sweet spot is in Spätlese.
Others may have different tastes. That’s ok.