The phrase "coldest year" refers to a specific time period where temperatures were exceptionally low compared to other years. It means that during that year, it was colder than usual. Full definition
Ask him for a similar curve spread of all record breaking cold years in the past 100 years. (judithcurry.com)
After the very warm period 1934 - 1939, which was warmer than today or in a tie with 1999 - 2005, there were suddenly the amazingly cold years of 1940 - 1942. (1ocean-1climate.com)
You presented a graph that showed the recent weather events as anomalies since 1971 — this is of course ridiculous, as 1971 was a very cold year. (planet3.org)