5 unique wines that make perfect gifts

When you give a bottle of wine as a holiday present, the real gift is always the backstory: Is it the amazing credentials of the winemaker, an offbeat brand or an unusual blend? Wrap your wine in a little intrigue.

The Enjoué, 2015 Sonoma Valley Estate Rosé at $28. Backstory: Co-vintners John and Nancy Lasseter crafted the style of this rosé after sipping their way through the south of France in 2009. The Enjoué, a salmon-colored rosé has an incredible range and aromas and flavors of mango, strawberry, grapefruit and mineral. It’s nice and dry, and finishes crisp.

Stonestreet, 2014 Alexander Valley, Sonoma County Chardonnay, $40. Backstory: Stonestreet is the middle name of the late Jess Jackson, the revered vintner who turned heads in the wine world with chardonnay. This tasty chardonnay has aromas and flavors of pear, apple and honeysuckle. Nice oak treatment. Lingering finish.

Elias, 2014 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, $53. Backstory: This bottling is a tribute to the late Dr. Elias S. Hanna, founder of Hanna Winery. A trip to Burgundy in the 1970s inspired the good doctor to venture into the world of wine. Elias is a rich yet crisp chardonnay that’s Chablis-like, with notes of apple, pear and mineral. Bright acidity. Nice length.

The Whole Shebang! Tenth Cuvee at $15. Backstory: This is a blend of 60 different lots and a dozen varieties, and it gives us access to one of Northern California’s hottest winemakers, Morgan Twain Peterson of Sonoma-based Bedrock Wine Co. With Cotes du Rhone as its model, The Whole Shebang has tangy red fruit with crisp acid and a spicy finish. It’s approachable yet layered and sophisticated, a remarkable red for the price.

Pam’s UnOaked Chardonnay, 2014 Sonoma County, $15. Backstory: Vintner Ron Rubin was determined to please his wife, Pamela, with her preferred style of chardonnay - decidedly unoaked. Pam’s Unoaked is a food-friendly incarnation of chardonnay that’s light and lively with bright acidity. Nice length. Breezy.