I think we're talking at cross purposes. I am specifically picking up on the mention of "identifying" cookies in the OP. As you've flagged, the Planet49 case said that doesn't matter (your post: "cookies containing personal data and cookies containing no personal data have to be handled the same"). I'm not commenting on the essential cookie aspect.
You're right, I read your response quite differently than what you seem to have meant. I read it as "cookies need consent, no exceptions", which was my misreading and my bad.
